TheresaTran's+First+Draft

Holden’s ways of life are like pieces of a puzzle of a normal teenager. For the most part, his actions toward many situations are common to many adolescents. Holden throughout the novel runs away from some of his problems in his life, such as many teens currently when put in certain positions. For example, many young adults go through a time when their academic grade is at a low average, which later on receive a lecture or a talk from their teacher. Like many students, they would just take it in and eventually keep ending up where they have started. In the novel, Holden goes through the same situation, he tend to not take much blame and simply let the wise words from people flow out of his ears. "He gets lectured with such frequency and to such little avail that he actually generates sympathy for the teachers charged with his improvement” (Tolchin 2). His actions are not abnormal but, solutions many young teens go to when they’re stuck through a problem. Another challenge that Holden face and attempt to solve was that he didn’t do so well in school. For that, to avoid receiving any punishments or troubles, he decided to run away. Similar to teens in trouble, they think running away is the key to avoiding the problem. Although, Holden and many teenagers do not realize, that later on they will have to face the consequences for such actions. Holden has many situations like many normal teens in the every day life. Few people just do not see because they do not realize the connection there is between Holden and themselves.

Additionally, Holden personality captures many average adolescents in the society. Holden may come off as a tough, aggressive guy but, deep down inside, has a part of him that many teens do not show. He tries to act assertive to avoid being viewed in a wrong way or looked down. "Sensitive and perceptive as Holden is, he is still an adolescent and so an immature judge of adult life” (Seng 1). The way he acts is basically immature in the society like many people act and they’re not ready to face the adult life. For instance, many teens may give the impression that they’re prepared to have sex but later on realized that they’re not, so they simply back down. In the book, Holden has the opportunity to have sex but as his personality is, he finds a reason to pass up sexual contact with the person. The problem of not being ready for sex is related to many teens nowadays. Holden personality of avoiding situations by coming up with excuses is typically like many people. Also another similarity between Holden and young adults are that many tend to use their aggressions by physically hitting things. The type of solution toward anger is punching usually for many teens which help release their rage. Like Holden, he punched Stradlater because of his anger toward Stradlater going out with Jane. Using this type of resolution lends a hand toward making teens feel better or take a breather. Throughout the novel Holden’s personality is related to many young adults, which proves that he is just an average adolescent.

Lastly, Holden’s personal likes are alike to many teenagers. Like most young teens, they’re curious and fond of drinking and smoking. Nowadays, teens already have started just like Holden has. Both drinking and smoking are the many things that teenagers enjoy to do. Although they’re not the best things to do, they’re caught interest in the eyes of the young ones. In the novel, Holden smokes frequently throughout it and from time to time drink alcohol. Also, another personal like Holden has is going out often and typically during the night time. Commonly like many teens, they enjoy having fun at night with their friends like Holden does. During the book, Holden goes out during the night very often to pass the time by or simply because he was bored. He is similar to many teens because they have fun going out at night because it is like a rush. From each aspect of his personal likes, they’re similar to nowadays teens, just wanting to breathe and enjoy what they want freely.