In a conversation Holden has with his sister Phoebe, she asks him what he would like to be. In response, Holden says, “…I’m standing on the edge of a crazy cliff. ...I have to catch up with everyone if they start going over the cliff - I mean, if they're running and they don't know where they're going, I have to come out from somewhere and catch up with them...I 'I'll just be the one who catches the rye' (Salinger 224-225). Holden reveals his desire to be the protector of innocence and the reader sees that he prefers to live in his own fantasy of innocence rather than face the reality of the world around him. In his dream world, Holden wishes to be someone who protects the innocence of children. Similar to a child, Holden oversimplifies real life and has his own fantasy of what he wants to do. Lott and Latham talked about Holden and his journey while finding his identity and say, "...the heroes also experience disillusionment with themselves and the world around them as they move from the innocent idealism of the very young people to a more realistic acceptance. personal limitations and social imperfections” (24). Over the course of the novel, it is evident that Holden is stuck between the worlds of adolescence and adulthood. Holden's obsession with innocence makes it difficult to accept the responsibilities of adulthood. Everything is considered “phony” by Holden, except what is still innocent. Holden is completely obsessed with all forms of innocence and wants to stay there.