How does Holden see himself?

Throughout the book, Holden often uses words like “crazy” and “depressed” to describe himself. This could be seen as just a typical teenager battling issues of identity, but it becomes clear that Holden is actually suffering from depression. Sunny ends up leaving Holden’s room after he says he just wants to talk.

What is Holden afraid of?

The most significant of Holden’s fears are the fears of growing up, intimacy, and human interactions. Holden uses alienation as a form of self-protection. By excluding himself from others he can keep his views of hierarchy with himself on the top and the phonies on the bottom.

What does Holden value?

The Moral Values of Holden in Catcher in the Rye In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger portrays Holden Caulfield as a teenager with definite moral values. Holden firmly believes in having respect for women, protecting the innocence of children, and being an honest and unpretentious person.

Why does Holden call people?

The significance of these unmade phone calls shows that Holden is constantly wanting to reach out to someone. He chooses to not because he thinks of himself as not being in the mood for it. Holden constantly wants to call different characters throughout the book, yet does not ever follow up on these thoughts.

What is Holden Caulfield’s goal?

Holden’s secret goal is to be “the catcher in the rye.” In this metaphor, he envisions a field of rye standing by a dangerous cliff. Children play in the field with joy and abandon. If they should come too close to the edge of the cliff, however, Holden is there to catch them.

Who else does Holden attempt to call?

Summary: Chapter 9 At Penn Station, Holden wants to call someone but cannot think of anyone to call—his brother, D. B., is in Hollywood; his sister, Phoebe, is young and probably asleep; he doesn’t feel like calling Jane Gallagher; and another girl, Sally Hayes, has a mother who hates him.

What does Holden not like?

Holden mentions consistently throughout the story that what he hates the most, in general, is (quote) “phony people”. On that list many will fall such as girls, jocks, his older brother, among others.

Is Holden a good person?

Holden is intelligent, sensitive, generous, and thoughtful. In many ways, he is the student every teacher wants in his class, since he thinks and cares about the books he reads and relates them to his own life. He also cares deeply about truth and authenticity.

Why is Holden insecure?

Holden is being phony with Mrs. Morrow and with all of the other people he lies to. He does this as a way of deflecting judgment from his true self to other personas to protect his own extremely fragile and already damaged ego. In this way he is similar to Tom Buchanan in that they are both extremely insecure.