The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger, a novel about the period of growth from childhood to adulthood, depicts the disappearance of immaculate childhood. The main character of the novel is Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old boy who suffers from PTSD due to the death of his younger brother, Allie. The story begins with Holden talking to what is supposed to be a therapist about crazy things that had been happening in his life. The novel is a flashback from Holden's point of view that takes place approximately three days in the future. Throughout the book, Holden learns valuable lessons about growing up and moving on. JD Salinger uses the pawns, the profanities on the wall, and the catcher in the Rye Dream to describe that innocence cannot be preserved forever. Salinger depicts the concept that the loss of innocence is inevitable through the symbol of pawns. At the beginning of the novel, Holden is in the bathroom with his roommate, Stradlater. Stradlater mentions that he has a date with a girl Holden knows, Jane Gallagher. Holden mentions that he “played checkers with her all the time… She didn't move any of her kings” (31). Unlike Stradlater's intentions with Jane, Holden's brief relationship with Jane was very pure and childish. The checkers symbolize the innocence of their relationship because it is a board game that we learn to play as a child. Holden remembers where Jane kept her kings, which shows how much he cared for her. He cared so much that he remembered how she played the game that shows their innocent love. After Stradlater returns from his date with Jane, Holden becomes angry with him and hits him. Stradlater's lack of respect for Jane pushes Holden over the edge and causes the...... middle of paper ...... The cliff represents the loss of innocence and maturity and Holden's goal is to Catch or save children before they fall. the cliff or lose their innocence. Since the children are in a rye field and can't always see where they are going, Holden's job is to keep them from falling or growing up. Holden eventually realizes that it's just a dream and that it can't come true. Holden is forced to realize that innocence must be rejected. Salinger's symbols in the novel help the reader understand that growing up is a necessary part of human life and should not be ignored. Holden is forced to accept that just as he had to grow up, so does every other child in the world. Holden represents the difficult years between adulthood and childhood and how they affect a teenager. Thanks to Holden we learn not to make mistakes and enjoy every period of life..