At the beginning of The Catcher in the Rye, the audience is able to see the reoccurring object the red hunting hat that Holden got in New York. J. D. Salinger gives the audience a clear understanding from the beginning of the novel that Holden despises the expectations of society and that he misses his deceased brother deeply with the symbolism of the red hunting hat. The color of the hunting hat is bright red, and Holden mentions many times throughout the story that his younger brother Allie, whom had died of leukemia, had bright red hair. Through Holden wearing this bright red hat, it is as if he is trying to mimic his deceased brother Allie, much like a child mimics their parents because they want to be like them. Therefore, the hat can