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The Catcher in the Rye - questions
were poor, socially awkward and without friends who were rich. Life was no game because they would lose every time because of their disadvantages.
7. Discuss the symbolic significance of the following:
• The red hunting cap
The red hunting cap represented protection for Holden. It kept him warm and comfortable, something that he hasn’t received from the people around him.
• Winter
The winter represented whiteness and innocence and Christmas, a time of loving and giving.
• The museum
The museum symbolised time being still, and to Holden it meant that children won’t have to grow up and therefore they won’t have to come into contact with the adult world. A world of corruption and deception.
• The ducks on Central Park lake
The ducks symbolised disappearance. Holden wondered what happened to the ducks at the lake when it was winter and when the lake was frozen over. He didn’t want to end up like the ducks and disappear.
• The carousel
The carousel symbolised the happiness and innocence of childhood. Holden was so happy that he cried when he saw Phoebe was having fun on the carousel.
• Allie’s baseball mitt
Allie’s baseball mitt showed that Allie was an intelligent and sensitive child. It was also a representation of childhood innocence.
• New York
New York represented everything Holden hated about the adults’ world. It was a city full of ugliness and corruption. Full of phonies and snobs and where everyone pretended to be something they were not. A city without love and it made Holden feel unwanted and lonely.
• The ‘catcher’ in the rye
The ‘catcher’ in the rye symbolised Holden’s belief that children must be protected from ‘falling’ into the adults’ world. A world which would make them lose their innocence and make them immoral and unloving.