Uncovering the motivations of a protagonist and understanding different archetypes in fiction is an important part of literary appreciation. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is considered an anti-hero. Students can create Storyboards with cells tracking the protagonist's actions, and find support that categorizes him as an anti-hero.
For front-loading terms and a lesson plan, see our article on anti-heroes.
An anti-hero, by definition, is a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes. Some even display qualities that are almost more in line with villains. Traits like conceitedness, immorality, rebellion, and dishonesty signal that the author does not intend the audience to admire the protagonist. In the sample board below, the Frayer Model is used to reveal how Holden fits this archetype.
Anti-hero Definition: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes such as idealism, moral goodness, and altruism.
Characteristics: Holden is an anti-hero because he is a perpetual liar, he frequently judges and finds fault with others, and he fails to follow through with any plans.
Examples: Holden meets three girls in a bar and dances with them, but he thinks they’re all morons. He eventually tells one girl that he has just seen Gary Cooper, the movie star, to mess with her because he can’t stand her. When she tells the other girls she even caught a glimpse of him, Holden gets a good laugh.
Non-Examples: Phoebe is the opposite of Holden. She is sweet, innocent, and genuinely concerned for Holden. When she finds out he’s failed out of school, she’s afraid of the punishment he’ll get from their father. When he tells her he’s hitchhiking out West, she tries to come along, and follows him to the zoo afterwards, even though she’s upset.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Holden Caulfield can be considered an antihero.
Encourage students to select a traditional hero from literature and examine how their qualities differ from Holden's. This activity deepens understanding of the anti-hero archetype by highlighting contrasts in actions, motivations, and values.
Pick a familiar hero such as Harry Potter, Atticus Finch, or Hercules. Using a well-known character ensures all students have enough background knowledge to participate meaningfully.
Set up a two-column chart with ‘Holden Caulfield’ on one side and the chosen hero on the other. List key traits, actions, and decisions under each name to visually compare their behaviors.
Lead students in analyzing how each character’s choices impact the story and influence the audience’s feelings. This helps students recognize the purpose of different archetypes in literature.
Ask students to write a short paragraph explaining which character they relate to more and why. This reflection promotes critical thinking and personal connection to the material.
Holden Caulfield is considered an anti-hero because he lacks traditional heroic qualities like honesty, idealism, and moral goodness. He frequently lies, judges others, and struggles to follow through on his plans, making him a complex and flawed protagonist.
Students can create a storyboard tracking Holden's actions, using models like the Frayer Model to categorize his definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. This helps illustrate how his behaviors align with the anti-hero archetype.
An anti-hero is a central character in a story who lacks conventional heroic traits, such as idealism, moral goodness, and altruism. They may even show qualities more typical of villains.
Yes. For example, Holden lies to people, judges strangers harshly, and finds it hard to follow through with plans. When he dances with girls in a bar, he mocks them and tells unnecessary lies just to amuse himself.
Phoebe is the opposite of Holden because she is innocent, caring, and honest. She supports Holden and worries about his well-being, displaying qualities that are the reverse of an anti-hero's traits.