there are many meanings to the catcher in the rye...
for one he is a very disturbed boy who doesnt really know what he wants...he tries to be anti-comformative (not sure if thats a word..but hey, now it is) by bying the hat for example...but when theres heaps of pple around he takes it off...hes confused!!
but ummz..msg is that he changes...and the whole idea about him not being able to save the children from becoming adults.
Holden is one who tries to stay young forever, for various reaons..he thinks that adults are phony and he doesnt want to become fake. however, u should also note that he always seems to be doing adult things...eg smoking, hiring a prositutite, drinking and staying up late.. but we see that he doe not fit into the adult world yet no matter how hard he tries..(he doesnt go thru with the prostitute...does get sold the drinks...etc)
basically all that is ramble..lol...
but Holden thinks that adults are phony and that children are innocent...the main msg is that holden needs to realise that being an adult is not only doing what adults do, but rather emotioal stages people have to go through to become adults...
i dunooo i did catcher in the rye last termm...and i went oright in it...
i duno ANY of that makes sense,...cuz i dont think it does...but see what u can get out of it...IF ANYTHING!
i tried...
cheers
t.j.