and untouched by societys truths. Holden says, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobodys around-nobody big. I mean except me. And Im standing on the edge of some crazy cliffI have to catch everybody if they go over the cliffId just be the catcher in the rye Holden wants to save these little kids, to protect their innocence, not from falling from a cliff, but from the world. Another major moment of his protection is when he went to Phoebes elementary school to talk to her before he had to leave. He saw swear words on the walls, that made him crazy inside. Holden couldnt stand the idea of Phoebe or her friend seeing the writing on the wall, they would wonder what it meant, and some dirty kid would tell them. Then, it would be just like Holden not doing his job, as in his vision of him saving the kids that were going to fall off the cliff. Holden attempted to wipe off some words from the wall, but he found out it was useless, he said, If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn't rub out even half the [swear] signs in the world. Its impossible.Holden doesnt want to grow up. He speaks about adulthood, going to get an office job and make a lot of money like the rest of the phonies. Although Holden tries to do grown up things, he still wants to be a kid. He envies childhood and its innocence. He is in an elevator and is confronted by a pimp; the pimp offers to give him a prostitute for five dollars. Holden accepts the offer and then, the prostitute comes to the door, comes inside, and Holden pays her and doesnt receive her services. In summary, Holden has trouble dealing with change. Holden cant deal with death, loss of innocence, and growing up. These complications lead him into an asylum for the insane. He seems to be happy there....
