The interpretation presented to me in school was that Holden was simply unwell and that anyone experiencing the kind of angst and alienation described in the book is sick and will end up in a mental hospital. As if it were a cautonary tale against having negative thoughts and feelings.
I didn't buy it at the time, but it was only years later that I realized just how much was lost in reading it that way.
The interpretation presented to me in school was that Holden was simply unwell and that anyone experiencing the kind of angst and alienation described in the book is sick and will end up in a mental hospital. As if it were a cautonary tale against having negative thoughts and feelings.
I didn't buy it at the time, but it was only years later that I realized just how much was lost in reading it that way.