Major themes

Given that Salinger has never commented on the work and its intended meanings, interpretations are fractured and vary from reader to reader. However, there are certainly a few themes which are discussed in the book — it is what Salinger actually meant that is under contention.

Phoniness

A major theme is what Holden calls "phoniness." He feels surrounded by dishonesty and false pretenses, and throughout the book is frequently picking out the "phonies" he sees around him. There is evidence that Holden exhibits much of the same "phoniness" he denounces in others. Holden also puts on pretenses, lies, and makes irrational and contradictory assumptions to mask his feelings and actions from others, which further alienates him from society. However, many others say that this is a misinterpretation of Holden's use of "phoniness", and that while he lies and exhibits other flaws, he doesn't fall into his own category. Possibly, the "phoniness" is about not being honest with yourself about your feelings of pain and disappointment. Holden's "phonies" rarely give the impression of admitting their flaws and insecurities, and this could be what he has in mind when he labels them as such. In contrast, though Holden labels other people as "phonies," Holden reveals much of his own carnality, showing himself to the readers as being self-righteous and judgmental. Sometimes, he himself can be a bit phoney, such as the time he decides he's going to pretend to be a deaf-mute so he doesn't have to speak to anyone. Either way, Holden believes that he is honest with himself, and the reader, throughout the book.

A reoccurring event in this book is Holden’s disdain for anything that robs the innocence from children. After he awakens to his favorite teacher Mr. Antolini rubbing his head, Holden even admits that he was previously taken advantage of by adults. Child exploitation is seen by Holden as another way how adults destroy childhood innocence. Holden's fascination with young children deals with his deeper desire to return to the innocence and truth that only children have. In a world where he considers adults and phonies to be equivalent, children are considered to be a fresh escape from Holden's middle-class background.

Loss of innocence

One more significant theme is that the loss of innocence might be unavoidable. Holden's idea of a "catcher in the rye" illustrates how he wishes to wipe out corruption from the world and protect children, such as his sister, from becoming like the many "phonies" he hated; e.g., adults. This is clearly illustrated by Holden's attack on Stradlater after the date with Jane Gallagher. Nevertheless, Holden finds it impossible to maintain innocence. After seeing some vulgar graffiti (saying "Fuck You") on the walls in his sister Phoebe's elementary school, a bastion of learning and culture, he tries to rub them off. In disgust, he states "If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn’t rub out even half the "Fuck You" signs in the world." To Holden, the "Fuck You"s represent the things that remove the innocence of people. Thus he realizes that he won't be able to protect children from the world indefinitely. Holden believes that society will never get better, and it will always have some sort of flaw.

Also, in Holden's scheme of moving west and building a cabin, he mentions that he may have children, but hide them, probably to maintain their innocence. Throughout the story Holden tries to maintain innocence. One situation Holden finds himself in is his dorm at Pencey Prep and is ready to leave for the movies and he begins to "[pack] a snowball with [his] bare hands…," and then admits "I didn’t throw it at anything, though. I started to throw it. At a car that was parked across the street. But I changed my mind. The car looked so nice and white. Then I started to throw it at a hydrant, but that looked too nice and white, too. Finally I didn’t throw it at anything."