Conflict (Man vs. Self)

One of the two main conflicts in The Catcher in the Rye is an internal conflict, between the main character Holden Caulfield and his own self. The issue is within Holden's psyche- part of him wants to try and connect with other people on a mature, adult level, but the other part of Holden's character wants to reject all things having to do with adulthood and phoniness all together.

The childlike part of Holden wants to simply retreat into memories of childhood, leaving behind maturity and responsibility. Holden has an irrational fear of growing up, so a big part of his character wants to regress into the innocence and simplicity of the childhood he should have left behind a long time ago. This part of Holden also led him to his times of seclusion, when he shuts himself off completely and wants nothing to do with other people, especially adults.

However, the more grown up and mature part of Holden does seek out to make connections with other people. But the main reason that Holden wishes to connect with others is so that he can have the possibility of sexual encounters. This is the part of adulthood that Holden cannot ignore, and the one that appeals to him the most. But Holden still has a difficult time dealing with everyday life, mostly because he continues to think that all the adults around him are lying phonies. This is the biggest reason for his mental distress- his own mind is working against himself and causing his introversion towards adults.

As the novel progresses, Holden's thoughts almost seem to be working against himself, and it gets to a point where he can no longer truly cope with the reality of his life. Holden slowly because less capable of functioning within society because of his constant thoughts of his childhood. He is not at all comfortable with his present life, and continues to yearn to return to the childhood he once had. Holden ultimately becomes a prisoner of his own mind, and is unable to cope with his transition into adulthood and life in general.