Which central tension does adolescence reveal in the text?

• A. A seamless transition into adulthood.
• B. A complete rejection of adulthood.
• C. A turbulent push-pull between innocence and adulthood.
• D. Indifference to growth.

Answer: (C)

Adolescence is shown as a turbulent push-pull between staying innocent and stepping into adulthood. The text centers on Holden’s urge to protect children’s innocence—his fantasy of being the catcher in the rye, saving kids from the dangers and pretenses of adult life—while at the same time he can’t escape the pull of growing up: leaving Pencey, negotiating relationships, and dealing with responsibilities and social expectations. This tension isn’t about a smooth move into adulthood, nor a total rejection of it; it’s a constant back-and-forth, revealing how a young person can yearn for authenticity and simplicity while being drawn into the complexities and compromises of the adult world.