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How Holden Caulfield became a performative male

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How Holden Caulfield became a performative male

Gen Z has context about "The Catcher in the Rye" that earlier generations lacked — but even less empathy

Published July 25, 2026 9:00AM (EDT)

Somewhere in the halcyon years of internet writing, I read — or, at least, I remember reading — a piece titled “Holden Caulfield was the first millennial dipsh*t.” I’m almost positive this piece existed; and the fact that I couldn’t find any mention of it in the sad, hollowed-out husk of the 2026 internet offers no proof that it didn’t. What did turn up are a newer generation’s takes on Holden, many of them unexpectedly harsh: He’s “the most insufferable character ever written,” “an entitled brat,” the “original ‘needs to touch grass’ guy,” a “clueless rich kid who’s never had to........

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