The Catcher in the Rye was a long novel written by American D. Salinger in 1951. The story tells the story of a young man named Holden Caulfield growing up in New York City, as well as his thoughts and feelings about life, love, friendship, responsibility and other issues. The novel narrates Holden's attempt to find the true meaning and destination of his heart from Holden's perspective. In the story, Holden had a rich understanding of the symbolic meaning of the Catcher in the Rye. He believed that the Catcher in the Rye was a symbol of Holden's pursuit of life and freedom. He hoped that he could protect his true freedom and dignity like the Catcher and never compromise. The Catcher in the Rye was considered a classic youth novel. It depicted the inner world of an adolescent boy and explored topics such as growth, loneliness, responsibility, and love. The educational significance of this novel is to help readers understand the psychological and physiological changes of puberty and how to face the challenges and confusion of growing up. At the same time, it could also guide readers to think about their own meaning and values in life, as well as how to pursue freedom, dignity, and happiness.