The Catcher in the Rye negatively criticizes society's way of living and the "American Dream" most people look for their whole life, although for the majority of the people this remains a utopia just out of reach. Modern society very nearly lost both its ideals and its sense of direction. We have developed into a society of "phony" philistines.
All of society is based on a superficiality which makes it impossible for Holden to find real friends and depresses him. Only Phoebe really understands Holden, because he can communicate with her without being superficial. However, whenever he really wants to discuss his problems with anyone, they turn away from him. For instance, when he asks the taxi driver about the ducks in the Central Park, Horwitz tells him it is "a stupid thing" (pg.82;6) to ask. …
