Based on theories of development, this papier examines conflicts surrounding Holden Caulfield, the main character of the novel Catcher in the rye, in his process of passing from youth to adulthood. The first chapter presents the theory of cognitive development by Jean Piaget and the theory of human development by Erik Erikson. The second chapter mostly presents the term of adolescence, its differentiation from youth and circumstances required to constitute a social category of youth. The third chapter introduces J.D. Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye, its reception with literary critics and readers and displays comparisons between the author himself and the novel's main character. In the fourth chapter, Holden Caulfield's crisis is shown as an adolescent identity crisis, based on Erikson's theory. In contrast to the common understanding of Holden as a character who is lost in childhood with no desire to grow up, his current position is presented as a manifestation of adolescent exploration of identity.
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