A significant
characteristic that Holden portrays throughout chapter one, that may create
more difficulties later in the novel, is his careless attitude.
He shows a
careless attitude towards his own life, as well as his in school experiences.
“That’s also how I practically got t.b. and came out here for all these goddam
checkups and stuff. I’m pretty healthy, though” (J.D. Salinger 5). As Holden
talks about smoking and getting sick he acts as if it was not a big deal to be
so ill. He also ignores many notices about his poor grades, and progress, and
probation in school. Without an education he isn’t going to be able to move
forward and have the skills necessary for advancement later on in life. The
very fact that this doesn’t bother him exemplifies his lack of character and poor
work ethic. He doesn’t demonstrate a strong desire to pursue anything later
than life, has a “bad boy” attitude, and acts as if he is too cool for everything.
He uses very vulgar language which shows that he doesn’t really care how he appears
to other people. This lack of respect towards himself may also be a result of
something the reader might discover later on in the book as well.
Holden is
also very careless about his schooling. He did not feel badly about forgetting the
equipment in the subway. “I left all the foils and equipment and stuff on the
goddam subway. It wasn’t my fault though” (Salinger 3). This lack of responsibility
and ownership for his mistakes reflects how he doesn’t care for anyone else
besides himself and his reputation. He doesn’t put any effort towards school
and his education. He was told many times that he was close to being kicked out
and once he finally reached the point where they had to remove him from the
school, he behaved as if it was no big deal. He didn’t want to try in school and this lack
of effort resulted to the end of his education at Pencey. This school is very distinguished
and has a stellar reputation. To have the honor of being a student Holden
should been proud and exhibit a
concerted effort toward a high scholastic record. His poor attitude led him to
lose the honor and privilege to go to this Pencey and left him to try to find
another place to attend school. When he got expelled from Pencey he played it
off as it was an occurrence that often happened and that he wasn’t the only
victim of this type of situation. These together led show Holden as having a
lack of care for his life, and schooling which can possibly cause him difficulties
later on in the book.
