I'm not sure it does. About the only positive note is
that Holden does not commit suicide like James Castle. Instead, he moves out to
California near his brother to be placed in a "rest home." Ask any kid: that's not
positive.
What's more, Mr. Antolini makes a pass at him,
and Holden's parents pass him off to another institution. Holden regrets telling the
reader details of his life. He says:
"Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you
start missing everybody"
So,
it's an anticlimactic ending. A real downer. He shows regret instead of affirming
maturation. Does Holden ever grow up? I'm not so sure.
In
fact, some critics think Holden's next step will be to join the army and ship out to
Korea after this. Maybe even die there. Whatever the case, Holden seems destined to
live a life of fear and seclusion--just like the author's.
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