“May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time” (from Treesforachange.com), a set of sympathetic words that can be said to a be dear. during their time of need. Some might believe that these are words that should be said to the protagonist of JD Salinger's coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield is a troubled teenager who craves sympathy because he is often regretful, sad, lonely and cannot let go of the past. Instead, because he puts himself in a melancholy mood due to his personality, inappropriate feelings, or running away from his problems, Holden is also believed to be undeserving of this sympathy. It is difficult to feel sympathy for the distraught protagonist because the reasons for his sadness are all self-induced. To elaborate, one of the reasons Holden is unsuitable for sympathy is his personality. Throughout his adulthood, he often gives up and is lazy, lies and makes excuses. To start with the first, Holden drops out of college. Pencey Prep is “the fourth school he went to” (9). “[He] failed four subjects and didn't apply himself and everything” (4), so “they kicked him out” (4). Holden however, doesn't feel bad for failing school, but for the pain he causes his teacher by doing so. His teacher, Mr. Spencer, "[feels] pretty bad about failing it" (12) and when he asks Holden if he opened his textbook once during the entire term, Holden lies and says : “Well, I kind of took a look at it. several times” (11). He tells this lie because “[he] didn’t want to hurt [Mr. Spencer] feelings” (11). Since Holden respects Mr. Spencer, he regrets making his teacher feel bad for failing him. Although he regrets, he didn't even try to pass...... middle of paper...... for him. In summary, Holden Caulfield is a troubled teenager whose personality, inappropriate feelings, and habit of running away from his problems prevent him from receiving sympathy. Since his personality includes being lazy and insincere, it is difficult to feel sympathy for him when he is not trying or lying. His inappropriate feelings depress him over nothing or leave him alone and isolated. His habit of running away from his problems makes it difficult for him to receive sympathy because he chooses not to face his problems. Holden is a character who provokes his own sadness. His actions prevent sympathy from being shown towards him because most of the circumstances are all avoidable. Sympathy will be felt for the clueless protagonist when he fixes his personality or makes better decisions. Until then, Holden Caulfield is a character for whom it will be difficult to feel sympathy..