Holden Caulfield is the 16-year-old schoolboy whose first-person narrative of his mental breakdown over several days forms the basic plot. Critics generally agree that he is the only substantial character in the novel. However, opinions are divided on the outcome of Holden’s constant raging against the hypocrisy of the adult world: Some see his eventual acceptance of reality as a positive view of his maturation, while others view his capitulation as an indictment of an oppressive society.