Universal Teen

Holden's thoughts and actions are easily related to those of the young adult readers who are assigned his story to read. For one, Holden's depression truly shows how lost and confused he is, while being relate-able to those who are reading about him. Themes that include anger toward his parents, friends, strangers, and others, are all similar to anger felt by adolescence. The whole idea of this "tunnel vision" I feel is strongly developed throughout the novel. Holden can only see the negative, the darkness. He focuses in on the faults of those around him and the negative situations he seems to find himself in, as well as place himself in those situations.

For example, Holden's relationship with Ackley and Stradlater, from the beginning of the book, and then how it's turned around in the end. After describing Ackley's unfortunate physical features, "And not only that, he had a terrible personality. He was also sort of a nasty guy. I wasn't too crazy about him to tell you the truth" (Salinger 19). Holden, like many teens, seems to judge simply because of jealousy, or for reasons totally unrelated to that person whatsoever. I feel as though Holden took his frustration with his failing school work and loss of Allie, out on those around him. After Stradlater asks Holden for a favor, "You take a very handsome guy, or a guy who thinks he's a real hot-shot, and they're always asking you to do them a big favor" (27). Stradlater may be a little conceited, but I still think he's being judged pretty harshly. Finally, however, at the end of the novel, he comes to a realization. "I sort of miss everybody i told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley..." (214). His ability to grow up and mature throughout the novel seems to be the driving force that can be compared to the journey that young adults take through high school, finding their niche in society.