Holden receives a call, which he refuses to answer to. The call is an invitation from society, asking Holden to join in with the rest of society and conform to it. Holden refuses this call. Holden feels that in order to fit into our society, one must be "phony" to a certain degree. Holden cannot stand phonies. Throughout the novel Holden mentions how phonies everywhere make him want to puke. Holden also refuses the call because in order to become a part of society, one must conform. Holden also feels that conformity results in the loss of individuality. Therefore he decides to go on a journey. The purpose of this journey is to escape from society and all of the phonies in it. The reason why Holden decided to leave Pencey was because he felt that Pencey was made of phonies, like society. Holden doesn't want to be a phony and wants to be true. Holden will fight society, and do his best to resist it. He would rather die a noble death than to become another casualty of society. Holden also realizes that the older individuals become, the phonier they become. This is another reason for Holden's rejecting of the call; Holden is afraid of the concept of aging and death. His reasons for rejecting the call are his reasons for going on his journey. .
2. Threshold Guardian.
The only threshold guardian in Holden's life is Mr. Spencer. When Holden received the ax from Pencey, he went to the home of Mr. Spencer to pay his last visit to him. When Holden arrives to Mr. Spencer's house, Mr. Spencer begins to have a serious conversation with Holden. He warns Holden about his future. He sees that Holden shows no concern for his future. He tells Holden that the time will come when he will be concerned with his future, but by that time it will be to late. Mr. Spencer is trying to put some sense into Holden's head. His message to Holden makes Holden feel sad and depressed. Mr. Spencer tries to make Holden realize that what one does in the present, reflects the future.