Allie's Role in Catcher in the Rye Some authors create characters who appear briefly or not at all, but are a significant presence. Even though he was dead, Allie affected Holden's action, theme, and development. The death of Holden's younger brother, Allie, played a significant role in Holden's actions. Holden couldn't cope with her death and showed it by physically hurting himself. He did this to escape the pain he felt inside. Holden said Allie was "terribly intelligent" and the "nicest" person. Because Allie died so young, Holden felt like his innocence had been taken away from him. This led to many of Holden's actions. For example, Holden acted and pretended to be people so you could deal with the pain he felt inside. This caused Holden to endorse something he strongly opposed as a simple escape from the present. This is a direct result of the conflict Allie's death left on Holden. The theme of Catcher in the Rye was greatly influenced by Allie. Due to his untimely death, Holden felt like his innocence had been stolen. In reaction to this, Holden felt it was his responsibility to protect the innocence of all children. As a result, he developed a job he would like to have: "a rye catcher." He stood on the edge of a cliff and caught the children who were about to fall. This meant that if someone was about to lose their innocence, Holden would save them. Without Allie, Holden would not feel compelled to act as a protector of innocence. Throughout the novel, Holden repeatedly asks Allie not to let him disappear. Holden felt like he was becoming invisible to the work around him. He had great respect for Allie and knew that if anyone could save him, Allie could. During one incident, Holden calls Allie. This marks its collapse. It is then, thanks to Allie, that he realizes that it is inevitable that he grows up. Holden is committed to a psychiatric hospital.