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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a best selling and controversial
novel during the 20 th century. This novel makes Holden Caulfield become a hero
for many people for criticizing the adult?s world as something phony. However, in
this novel, Holden Caulfield experiences failure in becoming a young adult. Thus,
I am interested in studying and analyzing this issue. I focus my analysis on
Holden Caulfield as the main character and the narrator of the novel. Through this
thesis, I will reveal the causes and effects of Holden Caulfield?s failure in
becoming a young adult. In order to analyze this, I use the psychological approach
and Erik H. Erikson?s theory of Psychosocial Development stage 5: Identity vs.
identity confusion as the main theory for this thesis and the regression concept as
the supporting concept. In my analysis, I find that Holden?s failure in becoming a
young adult is caused by his denial of his past life, the absence of fidelity, identity
confusion and his obsession to preserve childhood?s innocence as a form of his
regression. Holden?s failure in becoming a young adult also brings some negative
effects toward him. Holden is rejected by the society and unable to contribute in
the society.