The transition from childhood to adulthood can be both exhausting and frightening. Every person at one point in time has to go through the emotional, mental, and behavioral changes that come with growing up. Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, however, tries to resist the adult world. Holden desperately tries to connect with someone yet he can only communicate with children. Holden's inability to communicate stems from the fear of the adult world, an unwillingness to let go of childhood innocence, and depression from his brother's death. Holden will do anything to shield him and children in particular from corruption.

Holden struggles to survive in the corrupted adult world. At the beginning of the novel he tries to communicate with Mr. Spencer yet, as with all his attempts, is unsuccessful. Mr. Spencer tries to give Holden words of wisdom, but they sound...