". I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff—I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all."

This excerpt is revealed to the reader during Holden's encounter with Phoebe in her room. I believe it proves to us that he cannot function in society with adults. More than once he tries to retreat to his fantasy world when faced with conflicts. During any confrontations with adults he simply "becomes annoyed" and  physically distances himself from the problem. His desire to protect the innocent youth, i believe, is a direct reflection of his own attitude towards the world.