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Holden Caulfield (born circa 1933) is a teenager from New York who narrates the events in The Catcher in the Rye.

Biography[]

Holden is the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Caulfield. He has an older brother named D.B., a war veteran turned writer; a younger brother named Allie, who died of leukemia at age 11; and the youngest Phoebe, who is about seven years younger than Holden. Holden mentions that their parents have different religions, thus he and his siblings are "sort of atheists".[1] He generally describes his childhood as "lousy".[2]

Before attending Pencey Preparatory School, Holden either quit or was expelled from three other schools, including Elkton Hills and Whooton School.[2]

Description[]

During his final year at Pencey, Holden is 6'2'' tall and has gray hairs visible on his crew cut.[3] When the prostitute Sunny was describing Holden, she likened his appearance to the child actor Freddie Bartholomew.

Character analysis[]

As one of the most enduring characters in American literature, Holden has become a modern icon of coming-of-age stories and teenage rebellion, and is perhaps most recognized by the red hunting cap he wears.

Gallery[]

Quotes[]

"Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody". (Holden Caulfied, chapter 26, at the end of the story)

"[...] I'm not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything." (Holden Caulfield, chapter 1, at the beginning of the story)

References[]

  1. Chapter 17
  2. 2.0 2.1 Chapter 1
  3. Chapter 2
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