What is the climax in The Catcher in the Rye?

The climax of the novel takes place in chapter 25, when Holden meets up with Phoebe and attempts to explain to her that he will be running away from home. Holden has finally decided that he will avoid adulthood and escape his problems by running away from home and beginning a new life in the wilderness, where he plans on living alone and off the grid. The pressures of life and his traumatic experiences have motivated Holden to start over again. However, Holden recognizes that he will be abandoning his family and leaving his beloved sister behind, which is very difficult to accept. At this point in the story, Holden's mental health is quickly deteriorating, and he is not thinking rationally. Before meeting Phoebe, Holden begins to feel as if he will disappear every time he steps off the curb and continues to repeat

Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Please, Allie.

Once Holden meets up with Phoebe, he is surprised to see that her bags are packed and discovers that she plans on coming with him. Initially, Holden scolds Phoebe and tells her that she cannot come, which makes Phoebe burst into tears. In an attempt to comfort Phoebe and settle her down, Holden begins to walk towards the zoo, knowing that she will follow him. Once they arrive at the zoo, it begins to rain, and Holden sits on a bench while he watches Phoebe ride a carousel and attempt to grab at the gold ring. As Phoebe reaches for the gold ring, Holden reveals his new outlook on life by saying,

The thing with kids is, if they want to grab the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them.

Holden then experiences an overwhelming feeling of joy and begins to cry hysterically. Holden's new perspective on allowing children the freedom to fail and make mistakes contrasts with his earlier desire to be a catcher in the rye and protect children from the world of adults. Holden's stress and difficult emotions have also significantly impacted his mental health, and he will be taken to a sanitarium shortly after this scene.

What is the primary turning point in The Catcher in the Rye?

There are several significant turning points in the novel that depict Holden's various struggles accepting his fate and coming to terms with entering the competitive world of adults. One of the first significant turning points of the story takes place early on when Holden gets into a physical altercation with Stradlater and ends up leaving Pencey Prep. After leaving Pencey Prep, Holden completely alienates himself and sets off on a journey throughout New York City on his own.

Another significant turning point in the novel takes place when Holden sneaks back into his family's home to tell Phoebe that he is running away. During their conversation, Phoebe forces Holden to examine himself and truly analyze his emotions by asking him to name one thing that he likes. Tragically, Holden can only think of James Castle and Allie, who are both deceased. Holden's inability to name anything he enjoys in life provides important insight into his mindset. Holden also goes on to mention that he wishes to become a catcher in the rye when he grows up. Holden's dream of becoming a catcher in the rye symbolically represents his nativity and desire to prevent children from growing up, which is a reflection of his personal struggles.

Another significant turning point takes place when he awakens in Mr. Antolini's home and is disturbed to find his former teacher gently patting his head. Mr. Antolini comments that he is simply admiring him, which Holden interprets as some kind of homosexual overture. Holden panics and immediately flees Mr. Antolini's home. Following his interaction with Mr. Antolini, Holden feels more depressed and alienated than ever.

What is the primary turning point in The Catcher in the Rye?

You certainly have a wide range of choices.

I would probably pick one of the following:

When Mr. Antolini (if I am remembering correctly) comes out of his bedroom and touches Holden's head and Holden freaks out.  At this point he had begun to trust him a little bit and felt like he was actually in a safe place, but then his paranoia kicks in really hard again and he is off and running mumbling about how everyone is a pervert or a phony.

The interaction between him and the prostitute and then her pimp.  I don't think Holden ever intended to sleep with her, but it brings him so close to the contradiction in the way he views himself and his actual self that you might say he really falls off the cliff afterwards.