Childhood and Adulthood

Holden often acts childish in the ways that he deals with problems in his life. In chapter six, Holden, was so upset about Stradlater going out with his old friend, Jane Gallagher, that he tried to hit him. He was mad because Stradlater wouldn't tell him if he did anything with Jane. Holden just got so caught up in the situation, that he lashed out at Stradlater instead of just letting it go. He ended up getting his own self hurt even more. Growing up to be an adult requires the ability to be mature about things and with that, you need to be able to let go of things and just move on. Holden is sort of an adult in some moments of the book, like when he just shut his mouth about Ackley being gross and all and went to that movie with Ackley and Stradlater. He was acting like a child though when he wouldn't let it go that Stradlater went on a date with his old friend.

Sometimes its sad when we grow out of things in life and sometimes its for the best. We all know that we don't scream and jump up and down in the living room Christmas morning from receiving a gift of a sled from Santa anymore...most people don't even get gifts from "Santa." Sometimes looking back on the old home movies it is sad. But then, you realize, you see that video of you and your sibling fighting like crazy over a stupid little plastic toy cookie from your mini kitchen set and one hits the other and then the other one cries. Those things are good to grow out of, we are more mature now as in dealing with someone stealing the toy cookie and crying about it.

I think that Holden needs to realize when he is acting like a Child and grow up sometimes. Like in the situation with Stradlater. There are other times, later in the book that shows you Holden still needs to get the hang of growing up. I guess we'll see what happens..