The Catcher in the Rye Like any good artist, authors must leave room for interpretation in their work. Symbolism provides readers with a chance to read between the lines and further interpret the literature. J. D. Salinger creates depth in his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, through the use of symbolism. By looking deeper into the symbols of the novel readers understand the true message he wishes to convey. The novel contains many symbols which give insight into Holden’s views and feelings; these symbols include Holden’s hunting hat, his fascination with the duck pond, and the use of the title The Catcher in the Rye.
Holden’s red hunting Hat Used As A Symbol In "Catcher In The Rye" By J.D. Salinger">hunting hat is a distinct part of his identity as a character. Holden frequently wears the hat, despite its different and unconventional appearance. The hat stands for Holden’s uniqueness and individuality. The bright red color of the hat also serves as a symbol. When Holden remembers Allie he often talks about his bright red hair. He also connects this color to Phoebe, who shares the same hair color. Holden uses the hat as a symbol of his siblings that he loves dearly. He wears the hat as a way to feel connected to them.
The Term Paper on Understanding Holden Caulfield In Catcher In The Rye
Understanding Holden Caulfield in J. D. Salinger s The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger s The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger 1953), is a novel told in an autobiographical manner which tracks Holden Caulfield on his two day sojourn through 1950 s New York City. This short twentieth century novel delves into the underlying problems that mire Caulfield to the point where it seems he will never enter ...
Phoebe knows the importance of the hat and gives it back to Holden even though she thinks he will leave her. “Then what she did-it damn near killed me-she reached in my coat pocket and took out my red hunting hat and put it on my head”(Salinger 274).
Holden’s hat concretely represents him, whereas the pond more symbolically represents his youth and fear of change. The frozen pond and the migration of the ducks symbolize many things. Holden’s curiosity about the duck pond shows his inner youth. Like a child, he constantly questions where the ducks go during winter. “I was thinking about the lagoon in Central Park…
I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go” (Salinger 18)? The ducks leave every winter but return in the summer; this shows him that nothing remains permanent. Ever since Allie’s death Holden fears change and disappearance. The constant changing of the pond and ducks show how not even trauma lasts forever, life continues. The pond is not the only symbol representing youth, the title The Catcher in the Rye symbolizes youth’s innocence. Holden says he wants to be “The Catcher in the Rye,” meaning he wants to protect the innocence of youth. I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye… And I’m a standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff” (Salinger 224).
This represents how he wants to protect children from falling out of innocence. Holden views the adult world as completely phony and harsh. This causes him to want to save children, such as his sister, from these harsh realities. Considering the title, the symbol of holden as the catcher in the rye serves as the most important symbol in he novel.
Evidence throughout the novel shows Salinger put great emphasis on the title as a symbol. Through analyzing the symbols of Holden’s hat, his curiosity about the duck pond, and him as the catcher in the rye, readers obtain an in depth view on him as a character. These symbols give readers a deeper insight into the many messages Salinger conveys in the novel. They also provide readers with proof of the unique complexity of The Catcher in the Rye. Salinger put the symbols in the novel to allow room for individual interpretation. In return this makes the novel all the more intriguing and much more appealing to the reader.
The Term Paper on Controversy in “Catcher in the Rye”
... In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger used symbolism throughout the novel. Three major symbols were the ducks, the Museum of Natural History, ... about what happens to the ducks in the pond when it freezes. I think this really symbolizes Holden. He isn't really wondering about ...
