Helpless HoldenIn The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the world as an evil and corrupt place where there is no peace. This perception of the world does not change noticeably throughout the novel. However, as the novel progresses, Holden gradually realizes that he is powerless to change this. In the short period of Holden's life covered in this book, "Holden actually succeeds in making us see that the world is crazy"1. after Holden leaves Pencey Prep, he checks into the Edmont Hotel. This is where Holden's torment begins. Holden spends the next evening in this hotel "full of perverts and idiots". [There were] weirdos everywhere. » 2. His situation only gets worse from this point, because the more he looks around the world, the more depressing life seems. Around every corner, Holden sees evil. He looks at a world that seems completely immoral and unscrupulous. The three days that the novel covers place a distressed Holden in the vicinity of Manhattan. The town is adorned with holiday decorations and splendors, but, much to Holden's despair, "seldom gives opportunities for peace, or even charity." real joy. patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping, Holden jumped up and ran away thinking that Mr. Antolini was also a pervert. This is the only time in the novel where Holden thinks twice before considering someone a pervert. , Holden finally concludes that maybe he wasn't making a "flinty" pass at her. He wonders if he just likes to pet guys' heads while they sleep. This is the only time in the novel where Holden actually considers the positive side of something. This event does not, however, constitute a significant change. As Holden himself says: "It's not too bad when the sun comes up, but the sun only comes up when it wants to go out." »4. The sun, of course, is a reference to decency through the common association of light and goodness. His perception of the world remains the same. The only belief that changes over the course of the novel is Holden's belief that he can change the world..