The Protection of innocence in The Catcher in The Rye

Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in The Catcher in The Rye is a sixteen year old boy who is distressed between the corruptness of growing up, and the beauty of staying innocent. Holden can not withstand the thought of adulthood, he constantly emphasizes and intends to protect innocence in children. He fears that once a child loses their innocence they will become a “phony” like everyone else (Salinger 84). Holden tries to protect Jane Gallagher an old crush, Phoebe Caulfield his virtuous little sister, and all children who still have their innocence.

Jane Gallagher is a not so beautiful girl that also happens to be Holden Caulfield's former crush. Jane Gallagher is …show more content…
It is evident that Phoebe, Holden’s sister is the one person that he has an emotional relationship with. As Holden arrived in New York after being dismissed from Pencey Prep, the first thing he wanted to do was “buzz” a friend, and Phoebe was one of the first people he could think of (9). Holden admires Phoebe: “You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life...I mean she's had all A's ever since she started school...You'd like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you're talking about”(67). This tone is very rarely used within the book normally, Holden would be depressed, but not when he talks about Phoebe. When Holden met his sister outside the museum, she carried out his old suitcase. Phoebe begs Holden to let her come with him, but he refuses. He does not want to destroy the remainder of her childhood by letting her come run away with him. Phoebe was upset, she wanted to venture off with her brother. At that moment, Holden chose to stay because he knew if he let Phoebe come with him, she would not have taken part in the school play, and continue school; which are crucial parts of her youth …show more content…
He immediately tries to erase or scratch out the message, because he believes if a child see’s it they would lose their innocence. He wanted no one to see it, most importantly the children in Phoebe’s school, and Phoebe herself. Holden resents whoever wrote the message and wishes their death. Holden genuinely cares for children, and is insulted by anyone who tired to destroy youth hood. Holden loves all children and one day hopes to become a catcher in the rye, saving youth from jumping off the cliff which leads to adulthood. As holden entered the museum, his most beloved place in the world, he mentions: “Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone”(122). Holden doesn't want anyone to change, he doesn't want children to mature and lose their innocence. He need everyone to remain the same because, in Holden’s mind, change and revolution is no