The Interpretation of the Catcher in Rye, including a characterisation of Holden, and many symbolic aspects of the book.

Adolescence is the most awkward time in one's life. Teens are on the brink of adulthood, but not yet fully emotionally developed. They experiment with dangerous substances such as drinking, smoking and sex in order to test their boundaries as individuals in society. Most of one's early life is spent being protected from the "real world" but inevitably the "real world" works its way into one's consciousness. Everyone experiences a day when they wake up …

…much with Holden, that it even shocked me. I think I am not the only youth who thought this way while he read the book. But in my opinion Salinger wanted to cause exactely that effect. In conclusion, "The Catcher in the Rye" is a story of a boy becoming an adult. And J.D. Salinger made so many youths and children identifie with the protagonist, only by describing 48 hours of an kid named Holden.