Holden Caulfield (J.D. Salinger)

Holden Caulfield is the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye," published in 1951. He is a troubled teenager who struggles with feelings of alienation, depression, and a disdain for the adult world's perceived phoniness. After being expelled from several prep schools, Holden wanders New York City, grappling with his grief over his younger brother's death and his desire to protect childhood innocence. His story captures the challenges of adolescence, identity, and the search for genuine connection, resonating with readers due to its exploration of universal themes of loss and longing.