One of the most significant themes in Catcher in the Rye is Holden's loss of innocence. Holden, as the novel progresses, shows a lack of innocence and an introduction to the "real world". Holden attempts to grasp back at his previous innocence as a base for his emotions. There are various symbols and events throughout the novel that discuss Holden's loss of innocence. One of the most significant of these is the glove belonging to …showed first 75 words of 592 total…

…showed last 75 words of 592 total…his youthful innocence and stress free life as a child. Holden doesn't ride the carousel proving that he is afraid to step back into his childhood by failing to step onto the carousel. Holden's loss of innocence eventually led to his downfall and final emotional collapse. Holden's speech in the very last chapter, however, shows a chance that Holden may once again regain emotional control and finally take a firm grasp on his youthful innocence.