Catcher in the Rye question 5 chapter 22

5. Given the context that has been developing, state what is represented by Holden's desire to catch kids so as to prevent them from falling off a clifT while playing in a field of rye. What could Holden mean by this odd reference? Holden means that he wants to catch kids from loosing their innocence. The kids falling off the cliff represents kids going into adult hood and loosing their innocence. Holden wants to save them from that.  The irony between the song and Holden is the song represents two farmers of a different gender having sex and loosing their innocence but Holden think the opposite. When the children run off the cliff and not know where their going represents teenagers being confused on how to handle the ways of growing. Holden doesn't want to grow up but has trouble figuring out if he wants to have sex or not. His immature innocent mind is holding him back from sex. 

  Holdens body is manipulating him to have sex but Holden is holding back and that's why he wants to save kids from sex and adulthood. Holden believes if you save someone you are not a phony. Holden is thinking all these thoughts but can't manage to figure the thoughts out. Holden does not understand how people can loose their innocence and this shows his immaturity. Holden likes talking about sex but doesn't. He is confused. Holden thinks he can save people from this confusion but Holden can't save himself. By catching kids from innocence it will make Holden feel not like a phony.