Holden Caulifield struggled to achieve freedom and make a man of himself. Holden longed to be a grown up and be on his own. He tried to rush himself into the ideas that society said were to be “adult.” Holden wanted the alcohol, women, and sex; he envied those that received these like Stradlater. Holden believed failing his classes and returning to New York he could have rushed into the adult life. He wanted to disobey the authority and go on his own, but everyone still thought of Holden as a kid and set him back. Through the stress, anger and fatigue of not getting what he wanted he eventually drove him insane and sent him to the mental institution. Freedom in Holden’s mind was to be his own man, do things his way, and get the girl and sex he wanted. Possibly be like Stradlater because he envied Stradlater because he got these entire ideas. The society around Holden showed the ideas of an “adult” are women and sex and love. Through this novel Holden tried to reconnect with past women he knew but all rejected Holden. Down in the Lavender room he sits at a table and the waiter realizes he’s a minor and refuses to serve him. Then these older ladies at the bar thought of Holden as a kid when he tried to make his move on them and they left leaving their tab for him to pay. After dancing with the ladies he said he felt “in love” with the blonde showing his gullibility by falling so easy like kids do showing his struggle. Holden also struggles with the ideas of women and sex after Maurice sent the prostitute to his room and Holden started to feel “peculiar” and made up a story to why he couldn't have sex. Holden feels a deep connection with Jane Gallagher but whenever he calls or tried anything he is shot down. He struggled with the thoughts of the past they had together and knowing she doesn't want him anymore. Holden struggled with becoming mature and doing the “adult things.” Holden felt the pains of growing up and the adult life. He faced rejection, deception and how lonely it could be, and eventually it drove Holden to the Insane Asylum. Freedom is going out and doing the activities you want to do and Holden wants to escape be on his own have sex and have women by his side. Holden had many set backs because of how adults thought of him as a child, and held Holden back to not grow up. In the society Holden lived it showed men around Holden’s age doing these “adult” ideas, so this tempted Holden to grow up faster then he should. Holden does not seek freedom from society, but Holden seeks the mainstream ideas of freedom that society tells us.
