War

Being apart of war is a life changing experience. Unfortunately, it also takes away many lives. This is the reason many people avoid being apart of that particular organization, but for Holden he has a different reason. He doesn't want to waste all those years doing tasks other than fighting. He doesn't mind fighting in the war or risking his life. In fact, he would actually volunteer to sit atop a atomic bomb as it blows up. This is proof he doesn't find meaning in the world and doesn’t see why people spend their lives doing these things.
What Holden needs is to be a part of something bigger than himself. Something that would help him discover himself, but Caulfield refuses to do this, and then in chain reaction propels him into a future of misery. Phoebe is just one of the many who tries to bring him to the truth, but even she, the most reasonable person in his life, cannot get him to open his eyes. This is one of many flaws that Holden Caulfield owns and his hope is not bright, because of it.

The Catcher in the Rye tries to teach us many lessons through irony. We learn we must go from innocence to experience and that peers and associates will help us build our lives to all they can be. Spending time with others is important and definitely not a waste of time as long as we choose the right people. Two people in the book signify that we need to choose the right people to spend time with. Jane Gallagher, a girl from Holden’s childhood, is an example of a friend who you want to grow up and learn from, because she makes you happy about being you. Carl Luce on the other hand tears on Holden for not being as good as Carl. This eventually makes Holden depressed and makes Caulfield take steps back from getting to where he needed to be.

The Army could be the right thing for Holden, because it might be filled with men with personalities like Jane’s. Holden just needs an epiphany so his future can be prosperous and he will finally have joy. We must all remember this, because it is nearly impossible to go places without incorporating with others.