Based on the interactions and presence of secondary characters in the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, Holdens character can be revealed as inauthentic and immature. The secondary characters in the book hold a small part overall but the effect of the characters reveals parts of Holdens personality. After Holden gets expelled he goes to meet his history teacher, Mr. Spencer for the last time as a goodbye. As Mr. Spencer was trying to encourage Holden to care for his future Holden ignores him and begins to flatter the teacher with lies in hopes of getting Mr. Spencer off of his back by saying how people didnt appreciate how tough it is being a teacher & the old bull (Salinger 7). His interaction with Mr. Spencer, who is trying to help him proves his willingness to become inauthentic, to preserve himself is high. He would rather feed someon
e who cares about him lies just to get himself out of a situation that could potentially cause him to open up as a person and figure his future out. HoldenÂ’s fear of growing up and settling a future into adulthood begins to show as he constantly deflects statements and ideas suggested by people. Afterward, Holden seems to regret going to see Mr. Spencer Boy you canÂ’t imagine how sorry I was getting that IÂ’d stopped by (Salinger 5). The words were said after Mr. Spencer lectured him about actually trying to make decent marks so his future could be bright. His narrative of whatÂ’s happening begins to seem inconsistent because Mr. SpencerÂ’s actions clearly show he cares about Holden and wants to help. The interaction with Mr. Spencer shows he struggles to be authentic because of his constant criticism of others which masks his own inauthenticity.