In life, one is often made aware of particular subjects which they would prefer not to possess any knowledge about. J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye provides consummate examples of these circumstances, told through the eyes of an adolescent boy, Holden Caulfield. Holden's internal turmoil and subsequent nervous breakdown is a result of the knowledge he holds but desperately wishes he did not. He is bombarded by conflicting feelings concerning Mr. Antolini, Jane, Stradlater, and Phoebe.
             One of the few authority figures Holden respects and speaks highly of is his former English teacher, Mr. Antolini. He recalls a scene in which Mr. Antolini was the only soul who ventured to pick up poor, unrelenting James Castle after he hurled himself out of a window. "He didn't even give a damn if his coat got all bloody," (174 ). Later, Holden's encounter with Sunny and Maurice mirrors the actions of James Castle. After the events unfold he remarks, "I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would've, too, if I'd been sure somebody'd cover me up as soon as I landed. I didn't want a bunch of stupid rubber necks looking at me when I was all gory," (104 ). Holden doesn't want to picture anyone gawking at his mangled body because he wants to preserve the innocence of those around him. After sneaking back home, when he is in dire need of a place to sleep, he immediately comes to the conclusion that Mr. Antolini is the answer. Unfortunately, he comes to a rude awakening when he finds his old teacher hovering over him, caressing his head, and "simply admiring". "I know more damn perverts, at schools and all, than anybody you ever met, and they're always being perverty when I'm around," (192). If Holden had not been exposed to this type of perverse behavior or actions indicative of the "flitty", he would not have been so quick to question Antolini's motives for patting his head in the dark.
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