Holden Caulfield Symbolism Essay
Symbols The red hunting hat that Holden constantly wears wherever he goes is a prominent symbol in the Catcher in the Rye because it represents Holden’s inner innocence and individuality. Innocence is the one concept that Holden Caulfield struggles to hide. Holden tries to portray himself as this big tough guy. His cocky nature ends up getting him into trouble the majority of the time. He tried to stand up to Stradlater and he got beat up. He tried to play it off like it was nothing. Holden says, “I had blood all over my mouth and chin and even on my pajamas and bath-robe. It partly scared me and it partly fascinated me. All that blood and all sort of made me look tough” (45). Holden is attempting to see something in the mirror that …show more content…
He has his own personality unlike anyone else. Holden uses the word, “Phony” is an insult to anyone who isn’t genuine. He does not want to be associated with phonies and yet, he calls almost everyone he meets a phony. Individuality ties into the concept of the red hunting hat because it’s unique and unusual just like him. Although he associates with the hat, he is very embarrassed about it. Holden says, “I swung the old peak way around to the back- very corny, I’ll admit, but I like it that way. I looked good in that way” (18). He may be self-conscious about the hat and is afraid to wear it sometimes, but at the end of the day he loves it. He explains after being in the cold for a long time, “I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on- I didn’t give a damn how I looked” (88). The helps Hold feel safe as his own self. It keeps him away from all the phonies the plague the world. At the end of the story Holden finally says, “My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection, in a way” (213). Holden’s red hunting makes him different and remind him of people that aren't phonies like Allie and Phoebe. Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol because it represents how Holden is special and not a
Old Allie's Hat Analysis
159 Words | 1 PagesA 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.
Symbolism In Holden Caulfield's Red Hunting Hat
1023 Words | 5 PagesBased on his judgement, Caulfield doesn’t judge something based on how it looks, or how he wants to be like everyone else. He wants to be unique and different. Caulfield also made a statement on how he said, “I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on-I didn’t give a damn on how I looked” (88). Holden shows that he does not care if he looks like a moron or a strange person, he wants to be the one and only Holden Caulfield in the entire universe. This phrase gave evidence that Caulfield’s red hunting hat represents his individuality.
Holden Caulfield Symbolism Analysis
300 Words | 2 PagesJ.D. Salinger fully utilizes the literary device of symbolism in characterizing Holden Caulfield in the novel, Catcher in the Rye. Whether through a red hunting hat symbolizing a desire for individuality or ducks representing an escape from life’s challenges, Salinger conveys Holden’s struggles deftly, his traits elegantly, and his character development insightfully. Salinger takes one of Holden's most apparent qualities, his desire for uniqueness, and expresses it through his red hunting hat. Aside from being different through its garish red color, Salinger adds another layer of character through the way he shows Holden wearing it. "... I swung the old peak round to the back -very corny I'll admit, but I liked it that way."
Holden Caulfield Adulthood
1365 Words | 6 PagesSome may see this scene as the bonding of two siblings, or mark it for the kindness Holden is shown after being treated so rottenly for most of the novel, but there is much more to it than that. Readers can assume that Holden’s ridiculous hat gives him some sense of confidence, like when he wears it to write the essay about Allie’s baseball glove (38-39) but he also seems somewhat embarrassed by it since he wore it when “[he] knew [he] wouldn’t meet anybody who knew [him]” (122). When Phoebe, who Holden feels like he needs to protect, places this hat on him, it is a way of showing that even though Holden is trying to protect and watch out for her, Phoebe is also protecting him. It is as if by this small gesture she is saying, “If this hat gives you confidence and some measure of integrity to face the adult world, wear it.” In a very subtle and quiet way, it is Salinger’s way of showing that Phoebe empathises with Holden, which is significant mostly because no one else has empathized with him in the entire
Catcher In The Rye Loss Of Innocence Essay
643 Words | 3 PagesUntil his meeting up with Phoebe, Holden always gave things to others – a jacket to Stradlater or a turtleneck to James Castle. And while there are times people offer to give him something, – Mr. Spencer and Mr. Antolini giving life advice – Holden persists to be suspicious and hesitant to receive. His hesitancy, however, fades when Phoebe “reached in [his] coat pocket and took out [his] red hunting hat and put it on [his] head” (367). Holden finally allows himself to receive something; his acceptance of the hat mirrors his acceptance of the duality of life, something he has hitherto rejected. By watching his sister ride on the carousel, Holden “felt so god damn happy all of a sudden,” and albeit there was heavy rain, Holden’s “hunting hat really gave [him] quite a lot of protection” (368).
Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
715 Words | 3 PagesHolden 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
Catcher In The Rye Red Hunting Hat Quotes
741 Words | 3 PagesBlaise Engle English 9 CP Period 6 Mrs. Gowanlock Tuesday, December 21 CITR Essay Throughout the majority of the Catcher in the Rye J.D Salinger employs several different symbols that define Holden's personality. One particular object that set him apart from everyone else was his red hunting hat. It is brought up on several different occasions in the book and is often described as an article that reminds him of his brother Allie and sister Phoebe. Salinger furthermore develops the red hunting hat into a symbol by referring to it several times as Holden's own form of uniqueness, aiding in the theme of “ protection of the innocence” and the resistance of maturity.
Examples Of Honesty In Catcher In The Rye
503 Words | 3 PagesTrying To Look Honest by Hannah T. In the “trying to look tough” passage Holden is trying to be vulnerable with the reader, but he doesn’t know how to and he fears potential judgment. Holden begins the “trying to look tough” paragraph by saying that he “didn’t give a damn how [he] looked. ”(99) as he puts on his hunting hat.
The Effects Of Holden's Death On The Catcher In The Rye
447 Words | 2 PagesHolden Caulfield is the narrator of Catcher in the Rye. He tells us about his life and describes his relationships with all the important people in his life. He just got kicked out of another school and does not want to go home. He just wanders from place to place. Holden has so many important people in his life.
What Does The Museum Symbolize In Catcher In The Rye
1201 Words | 5 PagesSymbols can mean anything in a person's life; they are the language of mysteries. Holden Caulfield has many symbols representing different aspects of his life. J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye tells a heartbreaking story about Holden, a young teenager who struggles to fit in with the world and finding a place that he belongs. Holden seems to not realize that he is an adult now but is attached in this childish world. Holden likes the way things were the same in his childhood and desires to stop time and remain in his childhood.
Catcher In The Rye Loneliness Analysis
1305 Words | 6 PagesHe sees himself as the useless member of the family, and states that he’s “the only dumb one in the family” (67). The most heartbreaking cause of Holden’s loneliness is the death of his young brother, Allie, to leukemia. The brothers’ connection is shown through the symbol of Allie’s red hair, which Holden could have a “hunch” for even if Allie was sitting “a hundred and fifty yards” away (38). The cut of a bond this deep devastates Holden. Unfortunately, because of his inactive parents, he deals with it through anger and isolation that is symbolized by the red hunting hat he wears.
Holden's Depression In 'Catcher In The Rye'
463 Words | 2 PagesAnother hardship that Holden experiences is his depression which is most likely caused by his brother Allie dying, being extremely lonely, and his addiction to smoking and drinking. Holden seems to cope with these things through sexual interactions with people he is acquainted with or comes across. On page 122, Holden says, “When I opened the door, this prostitute was standing there. She had a polo coat on, but no hat.” This quote shows that Holden is dealing with the problems in his life by having sex with a prostitute, and throughout the novel, when Holden meets someone, he immediately looks at what they are wearing, which could be because he wants to find a way to defend himself by insulting or criticizing them if they begin to realize his insecurities.
Catcher In The Rye Holden's Innocence
404 Words | 2 PagesHolden loves little kids because of their innocence and when Pheobe takes out his hat and puts it on him she knows that he does want to leave the feeling of innocence. “Then what she did-it damn near killed me-she reached in my coat pocket and took out my red hunting hat and put it on my head. “ Don’t you want it?” I said. “You can wear it a while.
Catcher In The Rye Holden's Journey Analysis
656 Words | 3 PagesThis is a symbol of the fact that innocence can’t forever be protected. Holden is very upset over the fact that innocence is being taken away in a
Red Hunting Hat Symbolism
435 Words | 2 PagesThe red hunting hat represents Holden’s allure/endearment to unique qualities in objects and people, that normally go unnoticed by others. The hat also symbolizes Holden’s individuality and unwillingness to conform to society’s
More about Holden Caulfield Symbolism Essay
Old Allie's Hat Analysis
159 Words | 1 PagesSymbolism In Holden Caulfield's Red Hunting Hat
1023 Words | 5 PagesHolden Caulfield Symbolism Analysis
300 Words | 2 PagesHolden Caulfield Adulthood
1365 Words | 6 PagesCatcher In The Rye Loss Of Innocence Essay
643 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
715 Words | 3 PagesCatcher In The Rye Red Hunting Hat Quotes
741 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Honesty In Catcher In The Rye
503 Words | 3 PagesThe Effects Of Holden's Death On The Catcher In The Rye
447 Words | 2 PagesWhat Does The Museum Symbolize In Catcher In The Rye
1201 Words | 5 PagesCatcher In The Rye Loneliness Analysis
1305 Words | 6 PagesHolden's Depression In 'Catcher In The Rye'
463 Words | 2 PagesCatcher In The Rye Holden's Innocence
404 Words | 2 PagesCatcher In The Rye Holden's Journey Analysis
656 Words | 3 PagesRed Hunting Hat Symbolism
435 Words | 2 Pages