A great book Holden is telling this story from a mental institution. He recounts a time when he was probably suffering PTSD from the death of his brother, he has little relationship with his parents, they ship him off to a boarding school, the only adult in his life who gives him any sort of guidance gropes him in his sleep, he alludes to the fact stuff like this has happened before. He is a very troubled kid trying to make some sense of the world.

I think the way this book is taught in high school is way off base

Absolutely loved this book! It reminded me of Animal Farm in one way: the story and writing is so simple, almost like it was overtly simple on purpose, but then the "moral" when it comes just sort of punches you in the face. I remember when the British were suddenly in charge at the end of the book, it was just sudden and shocking. There was no war, no declaration, no nothing. It was like the British were living as neighbors and then one day they were just running things and it was mostly just accepted.
Excellent read!

Why does every election everywhere seem to be between one totally evil choice vs a slightly less evil one