Escaping Responsibility and Youth

One of the main themes in this novel is Escaping Responsibility.
Holden is in his late teens and becoming an adult but is in denial. He doesn’t want to be a part of all the “phoniness” that he sees in the adult-world. Instead of growing up, Holden revolts by “not giving a crap”, as Holden would say, about school among other things. In complete denial he refuses to take responsibility for his own life and to repair his mistakes.

When he fails in school he escapes to New York and hides from his parents. He avoids breaking the news to his parents whatever the cost. He spends a lot of money on things such as hotel rooms, bars and cabs just to get away with his former failures. Even though he wants to meet his little sister he can not go home as his parents might be there as well.

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Another main theme is Youth,
which is a follow-up theme of escaping responsibility.
A lot of young people look forward to grow up and becoming independent, but not Holden; he doesn’t see the school as important as many other students. Graduating, finding jobs and move away from home is the first steps in many eyes to an own life, to an independent life. Holden is avoiding his upcoming adult life; he wants to stay in his youth it seems.

When Holden is kicked out of school he doesn’t seem to care at all, he just goes away and we think that is immature. Holden is about to grow up and he disregard the consequences.