Innocence Lost The Symbolism of Childhood and the Adult World in ’The Catcher in the Rye

“The Catcher in the Rye“ is a novel written by J.D. Salinger, first published in 1951. The story is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a teenage boy who has been expelled from several prestigious prep schools and is wandering around New York City. The novel unfolds over a few days as Holden reflects on his experiences and grapples with his feelings of alienation and disillusionment. Holden begins his narrative from a mental institution, where he is receiving treatment. He recounts his journey and the events leading up to his breakdown. The central theme of the novel revolves around Holden’s search for authenticity and his struggle against what he perceives as the phoniness of the adult world. Holden despises the superficiality and hypocrisy he sees in society, especially in the adult world. He is critical of societal norms and often expresses his desire to protect the innocence of children from the corrupting influences of adulthood. This desire is epitomized in his fantasy of being the