D Salinger is an inspiring novel that incorporates many compelling themes and ideas. One major theme in the novel is how the main character, Holden Caulfield, portrays different attitudes towards different age groups. Holden tends to be more gently and considerate towards children whereas with adults or people his age he is facetious and disrespectful. Holden displays these attitudes through his thoughts and words, he thinks of adults as phonies and children as innocent and pure and tries to preserve this through his actions.
Holden has an interesting concept on the world and the people who live on it; he thinks things over and analyzes a persons actions to a point where he concludes them as annoying, fake, or phony. This is illustrated when Holden says, How marvelous to see you! Old Lillian Simmons said. Strictly a phony.(Salinger 86) In this Holden believes she is a phony because of her greeting, he knows she isnt really happy to see him but just saying that to make him feel appreciated, of course he sees through this. Another instance where Holden over-analyses a persons actions is when he is walking in New York City and thinking about the nuns, wondering whom else he could see collecting money like them, And Old Sally Hayess mother. Jesus Christ. The only way she could go around with a basket collecting dough would be if everybody kissed her ass for her when they made a contribution.(Salinger 114) This indicates that Holden knows Sally Hayess mom well enough to make such an assumption, he believes that she would only help a charity for attention, not for the greater good. This shows how blunt and insulting Holden can be towards adults, although, he has malice towards children.
Holden has a completely different perspective towards children then he does towards adults. He believes children are precious and should be protected from the harsh reality of the real world; this is his goal he strives to accomplish.