Essay on Meaningful Symbols in the Rye by J.D Salinger

Catcher in the Rye†, by J.D Salinger, is about a boy named Holden Caulfield. He thinks the adult world is a bunch of â€Å"phonies.† The novel contains many key symbols that help develop the novel, and to help show Holden Caulfield’s point of view on the way he sees the world. Three of these key symbols include: Holden Caulfield’s red hunting hat, the ducks in the Central Park lagoon, and The Museum of Natural History. One of the most important and recognizable symbols in the novel is Holden Caulfield’s red hunting hat. It symbolizes his uniqueness. The way he wears the hat gives off an impression that he wants to be very different from everyone around him. He â€Å"swung the old peak way around to the back.† This may†¦show more content†¦The ducks left the pond. This symbolizes exactly where Holden is in his life right now. He left his childhood, and is now a part of the adult world. He desperately wishes that he was like the fish in the pond. He wish he can â€Å"just stay there,† and be an innocent child forever. Finally, another key symbol in the novel is The Museum of Natural History. It symbolizes a perfect and pristine world that Holden desires to live in. Holden enjoys museums because they are unchanging. In a museum, everything is so peaceful and simple, an ideal place to live for Holden Caulfield. One of his biggest fears and challenges is change. For example, this is the reason why he is so scared and terrified to call Jane Gallagher, a girl who he finds very attractive and is one of the few people that Holden actually admires. He is afraid that if he calls her, she would be a changed person, and that is the last thing he wants†¦change. This symbol shows the main purpose of the novel, too. Holden is so afraid of surrendering to the life of an adult that he has such a difficult time figuring out reality. However, sometimes he shows his change into maturity by getting drunk and lusting for sex.The Museum of Natural History represents innocence and purity in the novel. Like the museum, Holden does not want to change. He wants to be just like the displays in the museum: pristine and permanent. He believes that everything â€Å"should just stay the way they are.† Holden wants toShow MoreRelatedHow Salinger’s Holden Caulfield Relates to Teenagers Throughout Time1412 Words   |  6 PagesSalinger’s Holden Caulfield Relates to Teenagers Throughout Time In 1951, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye was #1 on the New York Time’s bestseller list. Since then, the American Literary Association claims The Catcher in the Rye is a â€Å"favorite of censors.† The use of harsh language and profanity has been a long time debate of educators causing the novel to be pulled off bookshelves and propelling J.D. Salinger and his protagonist, Holden Caulfield, into reluctant fame. 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Salingers novel, The Catcher in the Rye, one is compelled to have a very strong reaction to the contents of the book.   Whether that reaction is negative or positive, it is unquestionable that the reader will give the novel a second thought after reading it.   There could be many reasons why this novel has such an impact on the readers.   It may be the use of Salingers catchy slang phrases, bitingly sarcastic andRead MoreA Coming Of Age Story Essay1124 Words   |  5 Pagesmature and advanced individual. One famous, and rather unconventional, story of this nature is J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye. In this book the main character, Holden Caulfield, has a bit of an episode, and feels near hopeless at times as he struggles with his own adolescence. In order to tie Holden’s individual strife with the mayhem of every adolescent mind to form one central message, Salinger relies on a number of novel-based elements. Specifically, h e illustrates the complexity andRead MoreSummary Of Salinger s The Rye 2149 Words   |  9 Pagesshielded by the danger and risk that constantly encompasses them in our society today. Children are subjected to this world and once they are exposed to the corruption it is difficult to maintain the innocence that they once embodied. In J.D. Salinger’s â€Å"Catcher in the Rye† there is an evident need and desire to preserve a sense of innocence among the characters in a world that lacks innocence. Holden Caulfield, the main character in Salinger’s novel, is a force that tries to promote the idea of innocenceRead MoreSemiotics of Gloves Essay1098 Words   |  5 PagesThe presence of a glove in Cather in the Rye and Winter’s Bone is something that readers possibly overlook before delving into the true significance of the book. Once readers closely analyze the importance within a text, some realize that a small symbol can mean something more than life to a particular character. Both J.D. Salinger and Daniel Woodrell provide a divine illustration of how individual culture reflects the arbitrary connection of a specific symbol. In Kaja Silverman’s The Subject of SemioticsRead MoreEssay On The Catcher In The Rye Writing Style2012 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Catcher and the Rye† has been called one of the greatest works of American literature. J.D. Salinger certainly wrote a masterpiece that has brought much controversy and criticism. If the reader does not see and understand the intense symbolism and explicit writing, the reader will misunderstand Salinger’s work. Holden is lonely and afraid. After a lot of trouble and terrible experiences he is alone and realizes the world really does not care about him. The â€Å"Catcher and the Rye† is a powerful andRead MoreEssay on J.D. Salingers The Catcher In The Rye2037 Words   |  9 PagesJ.D. Salingers The Catcher In The Rye   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The novel The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger, contains many complex symbols, many of the symbols in the book are interconnected. A symbol is an object represents an idea that is important to the novel. I believe the most important symbol in this novel is Holden’s idea of being the â€Å"catcher in the rye†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Holden Caulfield, the main character in the novel, is not the typical sixteen year old boy. Holden has many characteristics that aren’tRead MoreThe Catcher in the Rye2057 Words   |  9 PagesThe novel The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger, contains many complex symbols, many of the symbols in the book are interconnected. A symbol is an object represents an idea that is important to the novel. I believe the most important symbol in this novel is Holden s idea of being the catcher in the rye. Holden Caulfield, the main character in the novel, is not the typical sixteen year old boy. Holden has many characteristics that aren t typical of anyone that I know. Holden is very afraid