The whole novel is Holden’s narration of this long story. Who is he telling this story to (besides the reader) and what can we then conclude about Holden’s fate?

In the end of story, some may see it as typical old Holden being closed off to the world and from people. To me however it seems likes he’s changed, that he finally acknowledged that other people are around but also that he cares for them; for someone other than his family. “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody”. The last line though still sounds depressing because it’s almost telling you to not go out and find a connection with another human; its Holden’s way of giving advice through everything he’s learned in his short life. Since reading the novel and knowing what Holden is like, one doesn’t expect him to be cheerful. He sees the world that way, this certain idea has been instilled in him due to all the unfortunate events he had to go through; it shaped his way of seeing life and can now not be changed. I would never follow his advice. He seems to be disappointed with the fact that people know parts of his life, but at least for once he seems to be feeling something towards those he used to call phony that isn’t phoniness. Holden knows his fate is in his own hands and that is why he feels the responsibility to be real and not live the life of a phony. Everyone is searching for something, though often we do not know or quite understand what is is we are looking for. It is through hard work and creative effort that we will be able to find our happiness and form our own destinies.