Adolescence, the period of life that involves the transformation from teenager to adult, is a vital time in one's life when many begin to discover who they are and the things they desire as I transition into the adult world. In JD Salinger's timeless American novel, The Catcher in the Rye, the main character Holden is a despondent teenager struggling to leave his childhood behind as he transitions into the false adult world he despises to explore universal themes including the falseness of the world adult. and the loss of innocence associated with the transition to adulthood. Through Salinger's abundant use of symbolism, the reader is able to analyze Holden, his struggles and anguish towards change as he transitions into the adult world so that they can come to a deeper understanding of the themes explored . Children represent the epitome of innocence for Holden, uncorrupted by the falseness of the adult world and society. Throughout the story, Holden rarely finds adults he doesn't deem fake, yet not once is a child deemed fake. “He thanked me and everything when I held it for him. She was a very kind and polite little girl. God, I love it when a kid is nice and polite when you squeeze his skates or something. Most children are, they really are” (155). In search of Phoebe, Holden resorts to questioning a young girl about Phoebe's whereabouts. Holden has a pleasant conversation with the little girl, even though she can barely give Holden a complete answer. Just as he is about to take off, he notices her hands, turned red from the cold, as she tried to tie her skates. Remembering the millions of times when he joyfully clutched his skates as a child, he sympathizes... paper.... ..hh. If they fall, they fall, but it's bad to say anything to them” (274). At the end of the novel, Holden comes to the crucial realization that it is simply not possible to protect one's innocence forever. Adolescence can be a struggle to overcome, and Holden recognizes that growing up is inevitable, but, as one turns into an adult, he believes that one should do it on one's own, learn from one's mistakes, and not be influenced so much by others. In other words, the falsity of others comes from their inability to truly express themselves and their personality without fear of judgment. For Holden, the innocence he sees in children distinguishes their personality from that of adults; sees their fearlessness in expressing who they are, their genuine and uncorrupted nature, untouched by the seriousness and problems that plague the false world of adults.