Symbolism In The Catcher In The Rye

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Symbolism in the Catcher in the Rye Throughout the book the Catcher in the Rye, J.D Salinger uses symbolism to develop characters, and the overall themes of innocence, and alienation. The three most recognizable symbols in the book are Holden’s Red Hunting hat, the ducks in the central park lagoon, and Allie’s baseball glove. These symbols are very significant to the book because of how often they are used in the book. One of the most recognizable symbols if Salinger’s book, Holden’s hunting hat symbolizes uniqueness and individuality. “Up home we wear a hat like that to shoot deer in, for Chrissake,” he said. “That’s a deer shooting hat.” “Like hell it is.” I took it off and looked at it. I sort of closed one eye, like I was taking aim at it. “This is a people shooting hat,” I said. “I shoot people in this hat.”(Salinger) This quote shows his desire for independence, and underlines the theme of Alienation, with the struggle to stay away from conformity. “The hat is outlandish, and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him.” (Yahoo) When it talks about how he “shoots people with his hat”, Holden is really thinking negative thoughts about people, and criticizing how they act. It shows how much he tries to differ from the rest of the community. A symbol introduced later in the book, the Museum becomes one of the biggest symbols in the book. It shows Holden’s wants for the world, what he thinks is right. The world of his “catcher in the rye” fantasy, in his world things would never change, everything is simple and infinite. He wants a world with no conflict; he’s been contemplating Allie’s senseless death. “Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway.” This quote shows his fascination

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