The Catcher in the Rye question

I have to say that this is one of those books that lives with me, is genuinely residing in some cortex in the brain. And each time I read it (or teach it)there is always some little diamond-like fragment of truth or art that re-engages me. This time out, I had just taught "Perfect Day for Bananafish" which leads off with the famous Zen koan about one hand clapping. It hit me, that Holden's preoccupation with the ducks is like his personal koan: "where do the ducks go when the lagoon freezes". And it hit me that Holden, like many of us, is looking for some assurance that this universe is benevolent(especially in light of Allie's death.