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. The 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
To begin, we first gain insight of Holden’s character through his odd taste in choice. While in New York City, Holden purchases a red hunting hat, implied to be highly unattractive. Yet, the hat appeals to him so much that when he first saw it he “…lost all the goddam foils” (Salinger p.17). Although he loves his hat, he is ashamed of wearing his hat in front of his friends and family as he believes he will look like a fool. Holden is a unique, however he lacks the confidence to express himself, as demonstrated by Holden’s statement, “I took my old hunting hat out of my pocket while I walked, and put it on.
Holden’s Red Hunting Hat A hat can do many things. It can protect, it can cover your head, it can keep one warm, especially in the cold weather. It can hide your hair, if it's worn backwards then it's a sign of rebellion. In the novel “The Catcher in the Rye,” J.D Salinger uses this red hunting hat to show how Holden covers up his past and his search for a better future. This object has a huge meaning in Holden’s world.
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.
The record, which Holden buys for Phoebe, symbolizes any attempt of preserving one’s childhood. Holden’s beloved hunting hat symbolizes comfort and protection during his journey into adulthood. Together, the
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). Salinger is demonstrating in this phrase the fact that Holden admires his
At the start of the novel, Holden uses his hunting cap to protect himself from both the phonies and pain. Holden then uses his cap as a way to distance himself from other people since he struggles to make connections as he feels that no one else is able to relate or understand him. After he goes back home and reconnects with Phoebe, Holden no longer feels a need for the hat to protect him. In the short time of just three days, Holden goes from isolating himself from others to reconnecting with Phoebe, which brings him a bit of joy. Throughout the many preparatory boarding schools Holden flunked out of, he has had no one be able to understand his thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
The reason that Holden Caulfield is always trying to stop kids from growing up in the first place is because he want’s to protect them, and shelter them from the bad things in the world. By the end of the novel Holden realizes that he can’t protect kids all the time or save their innocence. Holden comes right out and say’s that you can’t protect kids, or their innocence when Phoebe is riding the carousel toward the end of the book, Holden says “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them". This quote is one reason that proves Holden was successful throughout his journey in the
Holden Caulfield’s constant questioning of the ducks at the pond, a recurring motif in The Catcher in the Rye, a novel by J.D. Salinger, gives a clue as to what is inside Holden’s mind. But many commonly perceive this clue, as a clue that Holden is trying to stay away from adulthood and its obligations. Throughout many parts of the novel, this perception that Holden does not want responsibilities can be applied, but is not accurate. While it may seem like Holden does not want the responsibilities of adulthood, he is actually afraid of not knowing what the future brings him.
Growing up was the last thing Holden ever wanted to do. Though Holden tries utmost to fit in the adult world, but he can’t find the right path to follow to. He sees the world in with a different view of the people and society. The number of people he enjoys being with are as many as how many fingers in a human’s hand. Everywhere he seems to go, he has some bad things to say about it.