the catcher in the rye

The whole book Holden is trying to separate childhood and adulthood. like in chapter 23, Holden says goodbye to Pheobe telling her that hes leaving New York to go west. This reminded my of Death of a Salesman, when Biff wants to move from the city to go out west. The crouded big city isnt for everyone, and the west is usually a symbol for freedom. And while saying goodbye to Pheobe she gives him her christmas money which causes him to break down. I think its because he wants to isolate himself in the west. Does this help him with his seperation of adult and childhood? Here is a very young person committing a very gratious action, to me Holden may have realized that "phoniness" and "crumbiness" may not be associated with adulthood but with peoples personalitites. Age is only a number. A young child can cause an emotional breakdown in Holden. Pheobe when we first meet her seems angry at his immaturity and stubborness.