Catcher_In_The_Rye__Main_Character_Conflicts

Catcher In The Rye: Main Character Conflicts Catcher in the Rye: Main Character Conflicts In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is a teenage boy whose conscience and personality somewhat conflict with the social and moral values of his society. In the novel, he over-reacts to many everyday problems by over analyzing situations, placing blame and passing judgment. Through conflicts such as arrogance, sexual ignorance, and compulsive lying, Holden realizes that he does not fit into the basic standards of society. One of Holden’s problems is his tendency to lie about everything even when unnecessary. “I am the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life” (16) was how he explained himself. “If I’m on my way to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I’m going, I’m liable to say I’m going to the opera” (16). This is just one example of a lie that is unnecessary. This problem of Holden’s makes it very hard for him to be a dependable person and in his society, dependability is highly valued. Holden is very insecure with himself and the way he comes across to others. He puts up a “tough guy” front in order to hide his true feeling of fear holden, society, prostitute, about, people, others, i’m, way, very, tries, stradlater, phony, maurice, insecure, holden’s, himself, example, act, values, unnecessary, uncomfortable, trouble, tough, rye, problems, personality, passing, one, novel, lie, judgment, impress, hard, going, gets