“Maturity comes from experience, not age” (Ziad K. Abdelnour). The coming-of-age story, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, takes some of life's most valuable lessons, such as overcoming adversity and the journey of adulthood, and packs them all into one novel. Holden Caulfield endures more than most children his age would. a weekend. Instead of returning home after his expulsion from elementary school, he goes to New York for a couple of days. There, he tries to reconnect with old friends and goes to places that evoke old memories. He also finds himself in difficult circumstances where he comes face to face with his values. Each of these situations teaches him something that he will later benefit from. When Holden is forced to step back and reflect on what happened, he finally learns the lesson he didn't see at the time. Holden realizes that he shouldn't take things for granted as he learns more about himself and his moral compass. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Before Holden leaves Pencey, he goes to say goodbye to his teacher, Mr. Spencer, who tries to warn him about his future. have you absolutely no worries about your future, boy?" "Oh, I feel some concern about my future, all right. Safe. Of course I do." I thought about it for a minute. “But not too much, I guess.” “[…] You'll do it, boy. You'll do it when it's too late.” (Salinger 20)Mr. Spencer is one of many who tries to warn Holden about this hole he's digging himself. If he continues like this he puts his future at risk. Holden's teacher fears that Holden will realize his mistake too late and will not be able to fix it. Holden takes his education in Pencey for granted, but he doesn't see it that way. At that moment Holden is unable to grasp the full meaning of what his teacher is trying to tell him. However, when Holden finally gets help, he is finally able to understand not only what happened that weekend, including his conversation with Mr. Spencer. “DB asked me what I thought about all these things I just finished telling you about. I didn't know what the hell to say... All I know is that I miss everyone I talked about." A recurring theme in Holden's story is taking things for granted. Holden says he misses everyone he talked about that relates to that theme. In a way, he took their company for granted, only to realize that once he finally got help. One lesson Holden presumably learns from this reflection and realization is to not take things for granted. During his time in New York, Holden learns more about himself and his morals. When Holden is offered the opportunity to meet a prostitute, he is faced with her morals about respect and his "sexual rules". “'Look,' I said. «I don't feel very like myself tonight. I had a rough night. Honest to God. I'll pay for you and everything, but do you really mind if we don't?' […] The problem was that I just didn't want to do it.” When the option was originally given to Holden, he jumped at the opportunity to take it, hoping to get "practice". However, when the time came to actually carry out his intention, he canceled and does not follow through with what he had decided. he said he would. Holden chose not to continue because it would go against his values ​​to become intimate with a girl without taking care of her. When he is in the sanatorium, Holden realizes that not completing is something he has..