Catcher in the Rye

How does J. D. Salinger use symbolic imagery to enhance the characters and/or train of the text?

In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger introduces a young boy named Holden who is expelled from school and wanders the streets of New York for 3 days. Holden fears throw in the world and inviteks company which he invariably drives a elbow room(p cherryicate) with his own self-importance isolation. J. D. Salinger uses symbolic imagery to allow the lecturer access into Holdens thoughts which in turn reinforces the underlying heading of the text. The author uses the symbolic imagery of the red eyelid, ducks and carrousel to marry to the novels themes of innocence, grief and change.

Holdens red capture wear is the first piece of symbolic imagery encountered in the novel. Holden defines his red hunting hat as a ... quite a little shooting hat... [and] I shoot people in this hat (p.19). He shoots people through the judgements he makes and often categorises them as phonies, people who only behave a certain way in regularise to fit into society. The hat shows his uniqueness and self identity as he tries to distinguish the difference surrounded by himself and the phonies or fake adults. Ironically he behaves the same by trying to not fit into society and be person he is not, which is why he chooses to wear the hat and says ...



I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on, I didnt give a damn how I looked (p.80). He feels like he is the only one who can see through this display that they put on. Most importantly the hat is the same colour of his deceased younger brother, Allies hair. He loved his younger brother but he was sadly diagnosed with leukaemia and died. By wearing the hat he preserves what memories he can by holding onto that connection they once had. In moments where he feels alone, he seeks comfort in his hat by wearing it because he cannot let go of his brother and is constantly mentioning his presence in the novel. He often reminisces of Allie and still negotiation to him when hes...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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