The Catcher in the Rye question

I don't i think i can give too much about this arc of change you're looking for without actually giving away the ending. There is some sort of change I suppose. As for his traits, I think what draws people in is the fact that people relate to Holden's pessimistic personality. Sometimes he is optimistic, and he cares about some people, like his sister, but often not strangers. I know people have called him whiny but that is more opinionated than anything. Holden simply shares his thoughts about the things he sees. If you don't agree with his opinions then yes I suppose he'll sound whiny. I personally loved Holden as a character but many people don't. I found him very relatable. I don't know if this helped you at all, but I hope it did.

Monty J wrote, "Bear in mind that Holden's not talking most of the time when he's being negative. These are his thoughts, the inner musings of his mind. Most of us would sound "whiny" if we vocalized our thoughts.

Good point!

does anybody know what happens to the ducks in Central Park during winter? do they just migrate south or does a truck come by and take them away? i seriously want the answer to this question.

Demetrius wrote: "...does Holden have an arc so that he learns and changes by the end of his journey?

...he whines, but doesn't he have good traits also, like caring about others so that he is flawed, but tolerable with realistically good and bad traits?"


Bear in mind that Holden's not talking most of the time when he's being negative. These are his thoughts, the inner musings of his mind. Most of us would sound "whiny" if we vocalized our thoughts.

Change in Holden's character is reflected in the climax scene. Holden softens, breaking into tears as he sits in the rain watching Phoebe ride the carousel, listening to the song,"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" after deciding to return home instead of running away. This softening in his outlook is also reflected in the denoument at the end as he says "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." He says he even misses Stradlater, who flattened him, and Ackley, with whom he argued, and "even old Maurice" who punched him.


For a more comprehensive analysis, see my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...