In his novel Catcher in the rye, Salinger certainly protests against many institutions or values of american society. But above criticizing, Salinger in fact suggests a new way to behave and to see the world, which could – in his opinion – improve the society’s lot. So what message does Salinger try to communicate to the reader through his novel Catcher in the rye ? We’ll see that Salinger tries to let a message concerning a few fields as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, education and family values.

Firstly, Salinger tells us a story about a boy – Holden – who constantly swings between childhood and adulthood : indeed, he is a teenager. Salinger uses this fact to expose his opinion on what has become – in the 50’s – the concept people have on childhood, adolescence and adulthood, which has been – to his opinion – completly damaged.

In The catcher in the rye, Holden appreciates a lot children - particularly is little sister, Phoebe. Thus, Salinger gives the reader a vision of childhood which is idealistic, he advocates the innocence of childhood. Also, Holden seems nostalgic of his own childhood, he wants to stay a child, not to become an adult.
Talking about his sister : « You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life » (p.60) .
Talking about the little girl who helped him to find Phoebe : « She was a very nice, polite little girl » (p.107).
Each time holden talks about a kid, he compliments him, whereas when he talks about adults, it’s not the case at all…
When he’s looking for his sister in a park : « That’s the same place I used to like to skate when I was a kid » (p.106)
Here, holden seems quit nostalgic, like if he wanted to stay a kid, reminding all these good memories, he didn’t have any trouble…

Through holden’s personnality, Salinger sings the praise of childhood, saying the reader that you should enjoy this part of life as most as you can, because it’s a wonderful period that will –unfortunately