... Existentialists are individuals who are willing to live their lives both within and without the system that frames their identity and that is exactly who Holden Caulfield is. In "The Catcher in the Rye-, he has no real interest in school or any other institution. He is a true individual ... not one of overt Existentialism like "The Childhood of a Leader-, I have no idea of Salinger's philosophical orientation, but it is implicit that Holden is capable of freely making many different choices and only when made can he learn about himself. "The Dead- exhibits the fewest existential qualities...

• Word Count: 1213
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate