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In the classic novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield tells to his audience, how events of a three-day period lead to his stay in a southern California mental institution. Believed to be one of the most controversial novels of its time, The Catcher in the Rye “puts forth a fairly good argument about the problems boys…face, and also perhaps the inadequacy with which some … attempt to cope with them” (Parker 34). A close examination of this novel portrays Holden Caulfield as one of these boy’s who has trouble himself in coping because of a disturbing experience that caused him to suffer from post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Most important the reader must understand Holden’s character traits. In 1949 (Holden’s Mad Man Days N.A.) societies image of teenagers was one of young people striving to live “The American Dream”(Parker 35). Holden exemplified the exact opposite traits of what was described as an average teenager. In many situations Holden displayed childlike behavior and immaturity. For example, he had thoughts of a grown man by agreeing to pay for a prostitute while at a stay in a New York hotel, but was unable to deal with the adult situation and reverted back to childhood act