Playwright Tom Stoppard wrote: “If you carry your childhood with you, you will never grow old. » Young people live in a carefree world, constantly surrounded by people looking out for them. As they grow up, they are given more responsibilities and eventually the weight of the world falls on their shoulders. Some people manage to wean themselves from childhood more easily than others. In JD Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield struggles with the difficulties of the adult world. Because of this clash of identities, Holden plays the dual role of adult and child simultaneously. One group of people that Holden plays a dual role with is his own family. During times when Holden is feeling particularly depressed, he drifts away thinking of his deceased brother, Allie. At first, mentioning Allie is okay, but then it becomes an unhealthy habit. Holden is unable to move on with his life and accept the fact that Allie is gone and life goes on. Just as Allie was an important member of Holden's family, Phoebe also plays an important role in his life. Holden is very protective of Phoebe and looks out for her, but at the same time he goes to Phoebe for help and advice. Although Holden would like to appear fatherly, he also acts like a child. As he behaves in a fatherly manner towards Phoebe, he also wants the best for his brother DB. Even though he knows that what DB is doing may not be the best way to pursue a career in life, he tries to support him without judgment. Holden is very protective of his family, but at the same time to an unhealthy extent, while some family members, like Phoebe, have to protect him. Holden cares a lot about his family but has a harder time getting along with his family. ... middle of paper ...... ally. Holden's idea of ​​moving in with Sally Hayes is a very irrational idea. As soon as he sees her, he says, “I wanted to marry her as soon as I saw her” (124). This immediate reaction is very unrealistic. Although he tries to establish a permanent relationship, it is not very practical given the circumstances. This seems like a perfect idea to Holden, but to Sally and any other practical-minded person, it's not. Holden's difficulties with relationships are often due to his immaturity and irrational thoughts. Holden plays the dual role of adult and child simultaneously. Much of what Holden says and does is contradictory to his own thought process. He struggles with concepts of the adult world as he experiences them. In reality, the older we are, the wiser we tend to be. The memories and feelings of youth always remain, but the child must move forward.