Loss of Innocence

Holden definitely has a loss of inocence in this book. He is growing up and going into his late teens. He is right in the middle of his rebelious stage and it shows. He is obsessed with sex and drinking. He goes around asking strangers to drink with him and wanting to have sex withH random prostitutes. Another way inocence plays a role in this book shows in Holdens personality. He shows more of a fondness for older people, and also younger people. I think everyone can agree that younger people are definitely more inocent as well as older people. His younger sister still retains her inocence which Holden definitely likes which would explain why he talks about her so much and makes it seem like he loves her more than her siblings. He also is more fond of older women and that shows when he goes out one of the nights and is flirting with the older ladys. When women grow up and go into their middle ages they also become more innocent than they are when they are in their teens like holden. I think that the author really shows this when Holden talks about his sister and his experiences when he goes out. As you grow up and start recognizing reality and becoming more curious about things one hasnt experienced yet, you start to lose your innocence. I think Holden is really bothered by this fact even though he has experienced a severe form of it.