Holden's View of Children:
* Idealization: Holden sees children as innocent, genuine, and unspoiled by the "phoniness" of the adult world. He longs to protect them from growing up and becoming corrupted.
* Paternalistic: He often acts as a protector, even though he himself is struggling with his own issues. He sees himself as the "catcher in the rye," preventing kids from falling off a cliff into adulthood.
* Condescending: He can be patronizing and judgmental, viewing children as naive and foolish.
Example:
One example of Holden's contradictory treatment of children occurs during his encounter with the young girl Phoebe in the museum. He initially tries to shield her from the world, telling her, "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." He even wants to run away with her, symbolizing his desire to escape the "phoniness" of adulthood and stay in a state of childhood.
However, his actions show a deeper complexity:
* He reveals his pain and vulnerability to Phoebe, sharing his feelings of loneliness and alienation. This suggests a need for connection and understanding, even though he struggles to express it.
* He ends the book by acknowledging his need for love and connection, suggesting a potential for growth and change.
In Conclusion:
Holden's treatment of children in *The Catcher in the Rye* is a reflection of his own inner struggles. He idealizes them, sees them as pure and innocent, but simultaneously struggles with his own sense of disillusionment and vulnerability. He ultimately seeks a connection with them that mirrors his own longing for genuine human contact.