Symbolism in 'The Catcher in The Rye'
Ducks
The Carousel
Hunting Hat- Your Interpretation
When millinery shops were prevalant, there
was the ability to customize hats for specific
people, events or looks made every one of them
unique. Hats were, and is in some places, a niche
that women or men could express their
individuality. It's in this that symbols reside
about the person wearing the hat, and the
person's between society and themselves.
Hunting Hat- Revelance
Holden Caulfield is repeatedly
seen wearing a red hunting hat.
This is usually when he is unhappy
or uncomfortable.
Hunting Hat- My Interpretaion
I personally think that the hunting hat represents
warm and comfort for Holden. It may also represent
himself. A hunting hat is very warm and it covers the
ears and a lot of the face which may be hiding some of
Holden's discomfort since the face shows emotion. The
reason that I think that he may what to do this is
because when he recalls uncomfortable things about
his past to the reader, he is sometimes very blunt
which may mean that he'd what to hide his
emotions. The hunting hat is also in the similar
shape of a duck's head which represents that
ducks from earlier, which represents Holden.
The Hunting Hat
Ducks- My Interpretation
I personally think that the ducks represent
Holden. He is lost and does not know who he
is or what he's going to do in life. This mean
that he may actually be asking "Where do I
go?" or "What am I supposed to be doing?".
Ducks- Your Own Interpretation
Carousel- revelance
Your own interpretation may be very different from my own. Sometimes authors like to use beliefs, myths, legends, etc. to create symbolism in their stories. Maybe you personally like to use that. Their symbolism can vary from different culture and religion. The duck is generally thought of as a symbol of resourcefulness. In Japanese and Chinese culture, the duck is thought to symbolize happiness and fidelity. The duck is the symbol that joins the sea and the sky according to native American mythology.
Nearing the end of the book, Holden
watches his little sister, Phoebe, ride on
the carousel while Holden has an
important epiphany.
Carousel- My Interpretaion
The carsousel may represent childhood innocence that
Holden is so desperately clinging to. While watching
Phoebe riding the carousel, he has an epiphany. He
notices that he has to let go of what happened in the
past because he holds onto it, it will only drag him
down. He also notices that being "the catcher in the
rye" is an unrealistic thought because everyone grows
up. The carousel seems to be the lat remanence of
childhood innocence.
Ducks- Revelance
Carousel- Your Interpretation
The carousel, as a metaphor, has three
universal connotations that deal with youth.
Since the ride revolves, the ride can mean life
and fortune. Many other views include:
innocence lost and the constancy of life, and
fate, are an allusion.
In the book 'The Catcher In the Rye'
Holden Caulfield speaks about ducks in a
pond repeatedly. He asks to many people
multiple times where the ducks go during
winter.
Sources
Song: Rain Smell- Baths
Program: www.prezi.com