The Catcher in the Rye

Near the end of the novel, Holden worries that Phoebe might fall off a carousel because she continuously reaches for the gold ring that hangs from the carousel's ceiling. Even though he is worried, he does not warn her. He now believes that children should learn from their own mistakes. How is this mindset different from the one he expressed earlier when he spoke of being "the catcher in the rye?" What does this shift in Holden's mindset reveal about his changed attitude toward innocence and adulthood? How does this mindset show how Holden has grown and matured? How does this support the idea behind the theme of Coming of Age as Losing Innocence?

Teaching Suggestion: You might follow up after this prompt by connecting it to the earlier discussion of coming-of-age novels, asking students to explain how this represents a pivotal moment in Holden’s maturity. You might also ask students to offer opinions about whether they agree or disagree with Holden's mindset that people must learn from their own mistakes.