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Catcher In The Rye Symbolism

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In the book, catcher in the rye, The hunting hat Is one of the main symbols. It symbolizes confident it’s the texture of holding tom is one of the main symbols. It symbolizes confidence self-esteem and protection of Holden’s emotions. In catcher in the rye Holden uses the red hunting hat to show comfort for himself and protection to his little sister ( phoebe ). When holden wears the hunting hat he feels comfortable slanger writes , “ anyways i put on my new hat and sat down and started reading that book out of africa ( page 19 ) ” when holden puts on the hat he is more comfortable then when he doesn’t have on the hat on. Further on in the book slanger states “ i took off my hat and looked at it for about the nineteenth time. I got it in …show more content…

“ it was at the end of the novel as he was out in the rain watching phoebe go around on the carousel. She just looks so nice he says. As phoebe puts his hunting hat back on his head , and just maybe,Holden has realized that growing up isn’t the worst thing in the world . When phoebe on the carousel holden decided he wasn't going to run away phoebe puts his hunting hat back on his head, and just maybe , Holden has realized that growing isnt the worse thing in the world. When phoebe is on the carousel she is reaching for the gold ring. Holden thinks to himself,” andi sort of afraid she would fall the goddam horse , but i didnt say anything or do anything . The thing with kids is, if they want ot grab for the gold ring you have to let them do it , and not say anything. If they fall off ,they fall off , but its bad if you say anything to them . ( page 211 ) “ in this scene holdens emotions change. Holden starts to feel happy even though phoebe might get hurt holden was starting to realize that growing up is necessary for phoebe and himself . You can't really protect a kid from growing up , so he had no choice but to accept the fact that she is growing up. In short the book , catcher in the rye , by J.D salinger symbolizes the hunting hat as a sign of protection . He shows protection by usings holdens emotions towards himself and other

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Holden and Phoebe are at a carrousel after having an argument with one another as Holden would not allow Phoebe to come along with him when Holden said he wanted to leave. Before this quote Holden was feeling miserable and quite irritated with life and wanted to withdraw from the society by going somewhere far away. However, because of Phoebe’s obstinate personality he agrees to stay and watch her go on the carousel. While watching Phoebe on the carousel he becomes happy just simply by watching her.

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Holden’s red hunting hat is a symbol of Holden’s uniqueness and difference from the others in the book. It is also the same color as his sister Phoebe’s hair and his friend Allie’s hair which could help connect the important people in his life. Holden never wears the hat when he is around people he knows giving the reader insight that when he wears the hat he feels the need for his isolation. 8. Imagery-

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Salinger does a phenomenal job developing the red hunting hat into a symbol by emphasizing how important it was to Holden throughout the novel. When Holden is leaving the hotel, whilst walking out the door he grabs his coat from the hat check girl. He then proceeds to show her his hat. “I showed her my goddamn hunting hat and she liked it”(169).

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A baseball mitt from your dead brother isn 't something that you would usually carry around with you. It makes him feel better inside. As well, Holden’s red hunting hat is a representation of him and his qualities. The hat is its own and unlike everyone else. It symbolizes that holden is out of place, and that he is his own person.

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In this novel, there are many instances of symbolism, one of which is the red hunting hat that we always see Holden wearing. To the normal reader, the hat is just seen as an article of clothing that has no deeper meaning to it, but if you look further into the text, you will see that there is much more to it. The hat is a representation of Holden's individuality and uniqueness. With the hat, for one, being bright red but also a hunting hat that has ear flaps, it is not your regular hat and stands out to the naked eye. It fits Holden because he wants to be perceived as memorable, whether it be in the city of New York or at all the different schools he has attended.

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To help his mental state, he sneaks into his parent’s house where he visits with his little sister, Phoebe. Holden tells Phoebe he is leaving town and when she begs to come with him. Holden becomes upset and leads her to a carousel, which is where Holden abruptly finishes his story. Holden explains how he is going to a new school in the fall, yet is optimistic about his

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Holden believes at this point that he can save everybody and control everybody to keep their innocence, but he does not realize that is not how the world works. He does eventually realize this when Phoebe rides the carousel and reaches for the gold ring. Holden was afraid that, “she'd fall off the goddam horse, but I didn't say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off they fall off”(232).

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The only time Holden is truly happy throughout the book is when Phoebe is on the Carousel. The carousel symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood. As phoebe was riding on the carousel “ ‘All the kids tried to grab for the gold ring, and so was old phoebe“‘ (Salinger 232). As phoebe reached for the ring, Holden got scared she'd fall off. The fall represents transitioning into adulthood.

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Holden says that all he want to do is be the catcher in the rye protecting children from falling. The whole novel Holden makes observation around him that are taking away from children's innocence. This is what upsets him the most the fact that everyone will eventually have to grow up. While he is trying to go get Phoebe he is reminded this in the following quote. “I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another "Fuck you" on the wall.

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In Catcher in the Rye author J.D. Salinger uses symbolism to emphasize the significance of Holden’s red hunting hat. Holden wears the red hunting hat to distinguish himself from everyone around. Holden bought the red hunting hat for one dollar in New York the same morning he lost the fencing equipment. The red hunting hat offers Holden protection from the outside world and it also of comforts him in real world situations. Obviously needing protection from the fencing team who ostracized him all the way back to Pencey.

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As a small child, the chances are still against her, but since Phoebe desires to play it, Holden figures he should allow her. The force pushing Phoebe to become older and Holden to become an adult, is inevitable. This realization makes Holden cry. But rather being tears

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Recently there has been a boiling debate on whether or not cheerleading is a sport. After having a self-debate I made the decision that I personally do not believe that cheerleading should be considered a sport. Cheerleading goes back into the 1800’s and still lives today. Cheerleading first started out as an all-male activity at college football games in the 1800’s. In the 1920’s cheerleading started to excel more in the women’s direction.

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Holden tries to prevent the inevitable, but one must move on with their life, and that is, contributed to the loss of innocence. His hat keeps him safe from the societal horrors that steal one's innocence. So when he has finally comes to grips with the fact that he must become older, and make grown up decisions, he gives his hat to Phoebe when, she takes it out of his pocket and offers it to him, since it was raining, but he says “You can wear it awhile” (Salinger 233), he does this because he wants to protect her now and stop running away from his

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830 Words | 4 Pages

The ending chapter of the novel Holden finds the loss of innocence he’s been searching for. When Phoebe is riding the carousel and she reaches for the ring, it represents maturing. Phoebe is a symbol for youth and innocence, and she is reaching for maturity. Holden’s struggles during the novel, “The Catcher In The Rye,” he figures out the true loss of innocence lost in becoming an adult and the struggle to be one and Holden struggling to be the catcher in the rye to catch kids from losing adulthood. His relationship struggles are his key factors which makes Holden who he truly

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“ you have to go back to school, you want to be in this play, no I want to stay here, no you don't you're going back to school”(269). This is sort of contradictory to holden earlier in the novel, because he left school and now he is telling phoebe to go back to school. This shows a reformation from earlier in the novel, because he wants what’s best for phoebe not that he wants to see her but wants her to have a better life. In the carousel scene holden wants to help phoebe not fall off but comes to the realization that she is going to grow up hence when he says if they fall let them fall. Holden wants to be the catcher in the rye and now he wants to let them fall....

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