Holden Caufield’s obsession with childhood

The Catcher in the Rye protagonist Holden Caulfield is obsessed with the idea of childhood. Throughout the novel he idolizes childhood. He longs for a time when life was innocent and easier. To Holden, childhood not only represents innocence, but also his fear and resistance to come of age and become an adult.

Holden’s obsession with childhood can often be seen in his interactions with Phoebe, his younger sister. Even before meeting Phoebe, she is described as an authentic and a truly real person in Holden’s pessimistic view of superficiality in the world. To him, she represents the embodiment of childhood innocence and purity and someone who truly understands his struggles. Though despite being younger than Holden, she is more mature in some ways. After Holden sneaks into his home to meet her, she is upset with him and understands the necessity of maturing, answering critically to Holden's story. In some ways, Holden’s immaturity and inability to deal with the situation makes him more of a child than Phoebe.

Childhood is closely tied to Holden's fear of growing up and taking on the responsibilities of adulthood. Witnessing people close to him displaying maturity but also superficiality scares him to avoid becoming a shallow and phony adult. His brother D.B. Caulfield once had his admiration for his short stories, but loses it for advancing his career and success to write for shallow hollywood movies. Stradlater, who is handsome and popular, is unhygienic underneath his immaculate outside appearance. It is the lack of authenticity that Holden despises which discourages him from maturing.

However, Holden's fixation with childhood is ultimately a form of escapism. He is unable to face the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood, and instead chooses to retreat into a fantasy world where everything is simpler and more innocent. In the end, Holden must come to terms with the fact that he cannot remain a child forever and must face the realities of the world around him.