Final answer:
Holden Caulfield worries about complex feelings regarding adulthood and loss of innocence after an unsettling encounter with Mr. Antolini, reflecting the broader themes in 'The Catcher in the Rye'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, worries about a variety of things after his unsettling encounter with Mr. Antolini, a former teacher. His anxious thoughts are likely a result of the complexity of his feelings about growing up and the adult world he is poised to enter. Throughout the book, Holden often struggles with his fear of change, the loss of innocence, and his place in a society that feels superficial and hypocritical to him. This fear is amplified after what he perceives as a betrayal by Mr. Antolini, whom he regarded as one of the few adults he could trust. Holden's attempt to shield himself from mature, complex, and sometimes uncomfortable aspects of life mirrors the broader themes of alienation and protection of innocence seen in the novel.