One of the many fascinating themes in the novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," brings us face to face with a jarring assault not unlike road rage on modern society and serves as a wake up call to each succeeding generation of its readers. J.D. Salinger, speaking through the protagonist Holden Caulfield, exposes the bogus standards and false values and the insensitive, sham relationships we face in our pretentious modern society. Alone, Holden stands tall against those counterfeit standards and the flagrant hypocrisy that surrounds us in the most casual and innocuous of life's endeavors?óÔé¼ÔÇØa simple conversation, and all from...
or in extraordinary interactions with ordinary people, the fear of a "phony" imperfect and inconstant society, in the end, overwhelms Holden.

Is he justified? In Holden's mind, indubitably. Will he"apply" himself or revert to shadow boxing with his nemesis once he leaves the rest home? Only J. D. knows the answer to that question, and he absconded to the "woods" and isn't talking. But Holden does leave us with a few context clues, if you know how to read between the lines, that lead one to believe that he sees the light at the end of his tunnel vision.