Symbolism in the Catcher in the Rye

Throughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger die hard numerous symbols that persist in the book. The symbols I take a crap chosen demonstrate Holden Caufields emotions, actions, and way of life. There atomic number 18 three symbols unparticular that are apply most regularly in the novel. Ive selected Holdens release hunt down hat, the Museum of Natural History, and the Ducks in important Park Lagoon. All three of these symbols have great significance in this book.In the novel Holden says I put my red inquisition hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my deity dam voice, Sleep tight, ya morons Ill bet I woke up every illegitimate child on the whole floor. Then I got the hell out. Some wild guy had thrown peanut shells all over the stairs, and I unsaved near broke my crazy neck. (Chapter 7, pg. 52) The red hunting hat is inbred from the image of Holden Caufield, with good reason.Its a symbol of uniqueness and identicalness as well. Holden also says in Chapter 16 I took my old hunting hat out of my pocket while I walked, and put it on. I knew I wouldnt meet anyone that knew me, and it was pretty damp out. The hat is flaky and displays Holdens desires to be diverse from everyone else around him, yet at the equal time Holden is very self-conscious about the red hunting hat. He always mentions when hes wearing it and he often doesnt wear it if he is going to be around people he associates with.Therefore, the point that the generator is trying to make is that the presence of the hat, mirrors the major fight of the book which is Holdens need for isolation versus his need for companionship. Another power point is that the hats color, red is the same color as Allies and Phoebes hair. Perhaps Holden interacts with it with the innocence and the purity he believes with these characters represents and wears it as a way to connect to them. Holden never comments on the hats sign ificance other than to mention its unusual appearance.In the book, Holden explains the symbol meaning of the museums displays. One detail he says is The best topic, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed honest where it was. Nobodyd move. . . . Nobodyd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. (Chapter 16, page 121) Holden also mentions that he is troubled by the fact that he has changed every time he returns to them. The museum represents the earth Holden wishes he could live in, a world where everything is simple, understandable, and indefinite.I think the point the author is trying to make is that Holden is terrified about the unpredictable challenges of the world. Hes trying to get across that Holden hates conflict, hes confused by Allies senseless death, and he fears interaction with other people. Holdens specialness about where the ducks go during winter shows a more genuine and vernal side to his character. I live in New York, and I was view about the lagoon in cardinal Park, down near Central Park South. I was wondering if it would be rimed over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go?I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them international to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away. (Chapter 12, pg. 81) The Ducks in the pool are symbolic in many ways, they prove that some vanishings are only temporary. Holden, traumatized and aware of the fragility of the life by his brother Allies death, Holden is terrified by the idea of change and disappearances. The Ducks vanish every winter, simply they return every spring.The point the authors trying to make is the pond itself becomes a minor metaphor for the world as Holden sees it, because it is part frozen and partly not frozen. The pond is in transition between devil states, just as Holden is in transition between childhood and adulthood. I n conclusion, there are countless symbols in The Catcher in the Rye. I personally thought the red hunting hat, The Museum of Natural History, and The Ducks in the Central Park Lagoon were the most significant and came up regularly in the novel. Each symbol has a different effect on Holden Caufields Life, emotions, and actions.