Rather than flawed Holden is actually mentally ill, probably bipolar. He’s manic on his trip to New York. He’s also suffering from sexual trauma coming from the other boys at school and his teacher, Mr. Antolini.

He’s also grieving unhealthily the death of his brother, whom you can see he cared for deeply. His parents didn’t handle the death well, adding to Holden’s burden. So he is left to suffer alone unsupported and pushed even farther into his grief.

The book ends with Holden in a psychiatric ward where he is sent to recover from his manic episode.

She seemed to eat just milk, cheese, and bread.

You can read more about the discovery of tectonic plate movement in Krakatoa by Simon Winchester.