Holden's primary ambition is to become the catcher in the rye. Is this goal realistic?

Holden's notion of "catching" children playing in a field of rye before they fall off a cliff is not realistic in the least. The entire idea is completely imaginary, based on the song he hears the little boy singing. Holden's need, however, to protect those he perceives as innocent and vulnerable, such as the ducks and Phoebe, stems from his feeling of helplessness because he was unable to save Allie. He could not prevent a young child's death. As a result, Holden wants to protect all children from the dangers of the world in any way he can. For instance, he seeks to eliminate the obscene language he finds at Phoebe's school.

Eventually, though, Holden realizes that his goal is unrealistic. While he watches Phoebe on the carousel when she reaches for the gold ring and worries that she may fall, he understands that he has to let her experience her own failures. If she falls, she falls; he has to let her. Holden cannot protect her forever, and he finally accepts that fact. He sees his desire to be the catcher in the rye as unreachable and unrealistic.