The Catcher in the Rye: Holden's Sex Life

The main character of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caufield, is a typical teenage boy. He is curious about certain things like a lot of other teenage boys are. Pretty much he is really interested in sex. Holden talks about it all the time. He thinks about it all the time too. The novel takes place over one weekend, and throughout the whole weekend Holden tries to have sex for the first time.

Holden is kind of a big talker. He likes to think that he is "sexy". He thinks some things that he does are sexy. All that "sexy"ness is all in his head.

We hear from the beginning of the novel that Holden has tried a few times to lose his virginity. He does not accomplish this task. He kind of makes a big deal out of it, so, as the reader, we can kind of tell that it is important to him.

Holden tells the reader a story of when he was in a car with his roommate. They both had girls with them. All Holden could do was make out with the girl. He could not make himself do anything else.

Holden also tells us about a girl who used to be his neighbor. Her name is Jane Gallagher. Holden and Jane used to play checkers a lot. They did a lot of things together. Holden really liked Jane. He still does like her. Holden explains how he and Jane would kiss sometimes, but he did not want to do anything else because he wanted it to be at the right moment. This shows us that Holden cares a lot about Jane.

When Holden leaves school and stays in a hotel, He finds a prostitute. From this we can see that Holden is kind of desperate to be rid of his V card, but he does not go through with it. Holden actually becomes very nervous when the prostitute takes off her dress and sits on his lap. He does not feel comfortable that she just wants to get it over with. Holden tries to strike up a nice conversation with her first. That does not work, so Holden tells her to leave.

Although we know Holden wants to have sex, we also know that he is not ready. Holden is actually kind of a sweet person on the inside, and he wants his first time to be special and with someone he really likes. That is why Holden does not end up having sex at all in the book.