Salinger's words and themes, like that of many great writers, consistently indicate awareness that transcends words, definitions, and such an absolute use of labels as are commonly employed by many people who cannot easily perceive much beyond the most shallow of impressions and often make extremely shallow statements of absolute judgment. Against such shallowness, whether it is manifested in "cheesy" or bitter ways, Salinger declares many gems of wisdom, and flashes of a complexly melancholic and joyful sense of the sacred amidst the mundane and chaotic:

"That's the whole trouble. You can't ever find a place that's nice and peaceful, because there isn't any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when you're not looking, somebody'll sneak up and write "Fuck you" right under your nose"