Catcher In the Rye

Holden experiences a major breakthrough in the scene in which he sits watching Phoebe ride the carrousel. He is finally able to accept that adulthood is inevitable, and that it is necessary for him to give up holding on to childhood innocence, and thus his healing process begins. In this scene, Holden hits a turning point in which he realizes that innocence cannot be protected. This understanding is dissident to Holden’s previous opinions in …

…Holden, because he is finally willing to accept the reality of life, that change is inevitable. Despite the drenching rain soaking him, Holden sits experiencing the happiest moment he has had throughout the entire book. He accepts the world for how it is, and is done fighting it. This realization is a tremendous step towards accepting he must mature eventually, and perhaps now he can begin the process of introspection and healing that he needs.