Imagine a character so unique, so different, that everyone seems to be familiar with him. The fact that this character is so different is what draws the reader towards him and ultimately calls out the outcast in all of us. Holden Caulfield was initially imagined as a completely new idea, from the mind of JD Salinger. He wanted to recall the thoughts of his youth, in the hope that readers could take a journey into his mind. What he didn't expect, however, was that readers would take a journey into their own minds, questioning themselves. Catcher in the Rye tops favorite book charts, banned book lists, and is even implicated in a number of famous murders. A narrative revolution, instant success, and literary icon, Catcher in the Rye calls for deeper analysis, both in the minds of Holden and the reader. The Psychology of Holden Caulfield was meant to be a unique take on the author, but has proven to resonate in the minds of people around the world, young and old. Why is this character so influential, familiar and accessible? Holden is often shown thinking things like, "People always think everything is true" or "People never notice anything." Holden is a very cynical character, almost always criticizing everything around him, from the way people act, to the things they say. . It's almost as if he could never be satisfied if the outcome wasn't the result of his own decisions. One of the most famous lines from the novel is the word “Fonçon”. Holden constantly uses this word to describe the people around him with false images. The real irony of this is that most of the book takes place in Holden's head, and he almost never says what he thinks. Holden Caulfield creates a false image by not saying what he really thinks, amidst papers. For example, if you're at a girl's house, her parents always come home at the wrong time or you're afraid they will. Or if you're in the back seat of someone's car, there's always someone's date in the front seat – a girl, I mean – who always wants to know what's going on in every this damn car. Holden is constantly asking questions about sex, gender, and just about everything else. He pays special attention to Sally's body during their date, orders a prostitute around, but the only time Holden is shown giving up sex out of compassion is with Jane. Holden's character is interesting, he never intended to connect with so many people, but he had an impact on the thoughts of many. The varied emotions and common motivations really resonated with people reading the story, and that's why his personality is worth analyzing. Holden Caulfield may be an impostor, but today, who isn't? ??