symbol



	HOME



Holden takes his sister to the zoo in an attempt to gain her trust and allow her to calm down. She had recently became extremely mad with Holden when he told her his plans to hitch hike out west.

				Symbol

		In the novel Catcher in the Rye, there are multiple symbols used to produce certain tones and convey feelings pertaining to the stories context. The symbols range from the Hat that Holden Caulfield wears to the ducks and the pond. He also allows the reader to find deep insight into his person when he expresses his dream to be a kid catcher in a field of rye. All of these symbols and more add to the unique characteristics of Holden and help to draw clear images of what kind of person he is. The symbol of the hunting hat is most directly connected to Holden�s dream of being a catcher or hunter in the rye. This childish dream shows the audience that Holden is a kid at heart and is not ready to be out on his own. Ironically he finds himself believing to be way more mature for his age than anyone else he knows. His juvenile behavior can also be seen through his thoughts and hopes to hitch hike out west for a new life. The hunting hat can also symbolize how familiarity is important to Holden. Although he doesn�t realize it, it is hard for him to not have the hat around as it has become a safe haven. The only other person he trusts it with is his younger sister. He gives it to her when he is thinking about running away because it metaphorically shows him leaving his past behind him. The red color of the hat is also meant to symbolize his brother and sisters hair. It reminds him of them and inevitably comforts him. The ducks and the pond are other prominent symbols of the book. The ducks symbolize the innocence and immaturity of Holden as his curiosity is like a child�s. He wants to know where the ducks go every winter and why. Although he seems mature in his critical thoughts of the world, he seems young and interested in new things as well. The pond is a symbol of Holden�s current life and is connected to the world is general. In the book the pond is between phase changes of a solid and a liquid. This symbolizes where Holden is in life because he is stuck between childhood and adulthood. While he wants to grow up and be done with school and useless things, Holden refuses to take responsibility for his actions and work through all of the difficulties of life. Overall, the symbols in this book serve primarily to identify the situation and characteristics of Holden�s life. The hat and the ducks show the struggle that Holden is putting up to not grow up. All of the symbols also demonstrate and reinforce Holden�s struggle between �phases� as he experiences �growing pains�. Like Peter pan he finds himself in charge, on his own, but not ready to grow up.

			"Oh, sure! I like somebody to stick to the point and all. But I don't like them to stick too much to the point. I don't know. I guess I don't like when somebody sticks to the point all the time." -Holden Caulfield

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws