The Catcher in the Rye is told by seventeen-year-old Holden Caulfield who has just been kicked out of his fourth school.  He dissects the 'phony' aspects of society from the headmaster whose affability depends on the wealth of his parents to his room mate who scores with girls using sickly sweet affection.  Salinger's style creates an effect of conversation, with Caulfield speaking to reader as though they themselves have seen through the pretences of the American Dream.