Holden Caulfield Symbolism

From the first page of the novel, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, the story of Holden Caulfield is incredibly similar to Salinger’s life. Upon further investigation Salinger went from boarding school to boarding school eventually ending up at Valley Forge Military School, just as Holden ends up at Pencey Prep School. Where as Holden is constantly threatened with military school if he doesn’t get better grades, J.D. Salinger was actually sent to one. The author has said that he knew an older neighbor who constantly barged into his room, acted in a haughty manner and had no sense of privacy similar to Ackley, Holden’s acquaintance. Lastly both men have parents with a similar financial status. Holden is the son of wealthy parents and Salinger …show more content…
The first symbol is the title of the book, when Holden hears the poem for the first time he hears the words as "If a body catch a body comin thro the rye." (Salinger 115) but the real words are "If a body meet a body comin thro the rye." (Salinger 116). With the way the words were misinterpreted Holden decided it was a sign to him that he should be the savior to the innocent. He imagines himself preserving childhood innocence and preventing children from being scarred by the cruel, harsh world by prolonging childhood happiness and playfulness therefore stopping kids from falling off the cliff into the adult world. This seems like something Holden would do because it’s not realistic and ties into his childish fantasies. He has never been comfortable …show more content…
But the real interpretation of the song is about sex, which is a recurring theme in the novel. The second symbol is the ducks in the lagoon at Central Park. Holden asks the cab driver, “Well you know the ducks that swim around in it? In the springtime and all? Do you happen to know where they go in the wintertime, by any chance?” (Salinger 81). He asks the question is an almost childish manner giving the impression that he doesn’t know that birds migrate. This ties back to his innocence and the fact that he is still a child inside. I think the birds represent change because of the way he asks about them, almost as if he’s afraid of them leaving and not being there forever. Some people are afraid of commitment but Holden is afraid of change. The ducks staying in the pond all year and them migrating for the winter saddens him and is similar to how he doesn’t want to grow up. He wants to stay young forever just like he would like the ducks to stay in the pond forever. Childhood is something he cherishes and that’s why he is incredibly fond of Phoebe and Allie. It could also be that he has an irrational fear of disappearing that is mentioned when he asks his dead brother Allie, "Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Please, Allie." (Salinger 198). The thirds symbol is his red hunting hat. It

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