Catcher In The Rye Character Analysis: Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield: Holden Caulfield is the protagonist of Catcher in the Rye, however, he is a very unreliable and troubled narrator. He narrates this story inside a psychiatric ward, where he is speaking to his psychiatrist. The reason for him being in this ward is due to his brother, Allie’s death, and a suicide at one of the four schools he has attended. He is sixteen years old, and has recently been expelled from his school, Pencey Prep. He is rather cynical and sarcastic as he narrates the story. He refers to everyone as being “phony” and stupid. He always has a criticism for everyone that he meets in his lifetime. The only two people he can stand are his brother and his sister. The reason for his cynical attitude is to hide his own pain. Holden also has difficulty with maturity. This is shown when he even describes himself as a thirteen year old sometimes.

He sets up a prostitute with Holden for a specific amount of money. When he does not get the amount he “asked for” he punches Holden in the stomach. He is described as wearing a “phony shirt collar” and has a “big, fat, hairy stomach.”
Ackley:
Ackley is described as pimply and dirty. Holden is very annoyed by Ackley’s presence 95% of the time. Holden always talks about how he will come into his room and misplace things and then leave. Holden tells the reader he does not like Ackley, but the reader also knows that Ackley is the closest thing that Holden has to a friend. It is unsure if Holden feels bad for Ackley, or if he is just lonely and needs someone to talk to.

Stradlater:Stradlater is described as the dreamy jock who gets all the girls. He is very conceited and never gets tired of looking at himself. Stradlater is described as a player. He is manipulative and always knows how to get what he wants. Stradlater is punched by Holden because he is trying to have sex with Jane Gallagher, whom Holden will always have a thing