The only people Holden establishes a true, honest connection with are his sister Phoebe, the nuns, and Jane Gallagher. Holden does not feel that he fits with the world around him he does not fit in with his peers at the elite prep schools he is so absent-minded that he leaves the fencing teamвЂ™s equipment on the train he buys a red hunting hat and wears it, even indoors, tugging on it when he feels insecure-which sets him apart even more from those around him he lies often and finds fault with everyone around him and he frequently wants to run away from his problems to start a new life somewhere else. The cliff is a metaphor for a loss of innocence, when children inevitably begin the transition from childhood to adulthood. Holden tells Phoebe that he wants to be a вЂњcatcher in the rye.вЂќ He imagines standing in a field of rye, where children are playing, and catching any children who start to run towards a cliff at the edge of the field. Holden lost his with his brother AllieвЂ™s death, and itвЂ™s something that he still has not dealt with properly. Holden sees childhood innocence as something that no one should ever lose. Ironically, it is this stubborn immaturity that prevents Holden from establishing any sort of romantic relationship, which he seems to want. Holden feels much more calm in the presence of children, who donвЂ™t expect very much from him, but he is anxious in situations where he has to take responsibility. This reflects his reluctance to leave the safety of his childhood, and he frequently finds fault with others so he doesnвЂ™t have to accept responsibility for his own actions. Throughout the novel, Holden finds solace in things that stay the same, and shows trepidation towards events that signal a change. Fear of Change and the Transition into Adulthood

Symbols in the catcher in the rye