Dear AP students:
Let's first talk about symbols. We will always be on the
lookout for symbols and their significance when we read novels or poetry.
The first symbol for catcher in the Rye is Holden's red hunting hat. The
hat is a very unusual, bizarre piece of clothing. But what does it
represent? What purpose does it serve in this novel? What does it say
about the main character? Take note of when he wears it.
Not all the time. Why a hunting hat? Why a red one? Why does he
wear it backwards? Is he ahead of his time? After all, wearing a
baseball hat backwards was all the rage a few years ago.
And I sometimes see students wearing those silly wool hat that look
very much like a hunting hat...they think they are so cool...but in doing
so, are they merely imitating a literary character that goes all the
way back to 1951? A preppy literary character no less!!!
I also want you to pay attention to the
what the color red symbolizes. Red is usually an easy color to
analyze. Ordinarily, the color red represents violence, blood, or anger.
In this book--at least in the pages we've read so far--the color red shows up
in the hunting cap. In the color of Allie's hair (Holden's late bother
who died from Leukemia), and in the blood that runs down Holden's nose when he
is punched by his roommate. So much red!!!! What is the author
trying to tell us????
Additionally, what's the meaning behind
Holden's broken hand (he breaks it in reaction to his younger brother's
death---remember, he punched out the windows when his brother died/). He
says he can barely form a fist now. What is the significance of
this? What does this broken hand, and its long term effect symbolize?
Finally, what about the symbolism of the ducks in the lake in Central
Park? Holden wonders what happens to the ducks in the winter. He
repeats this question a couple times in the story. Why does he ask about
them. At first glance it seems a silly question. Is it?
In my opinion, Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol of his uniqueness and individuality. This is because the color red stands out in a crowd and not many people would be seen wearing such things in public. I think he wears his red hunting hat because he's ahead of his time; after all, he was the first real literary teenager. Also, I think he wears it that way to symbolize that he does things his way. What I mean by this is that Holden is isolated by the way he thinks, and that he's unique.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Holden brings up the ducks in the winter. I think it shows the more youthful side to him. In other words, Holden's genuine curiosity about what happens in nature. I also think it symbolizes that Holden understands his own situation. For example, the ducks in the harsh, almost inhospitable environment is similar to Holden's constant alienation and wondering about Manhattan. I know that the ducks symbolize various things, did anyone find anything different? What about the pond being partly frozen and partly unfrozen?
-Anna Leon
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DeleteI completely agree with Anna that Holden’s red hunting hat is a symbol of individuality. It is not hard to identify Holden as one unique person. What makes him stand out is that he is very ahead of his time. He differs from many teenagers his age and it is pretty apparent. For example, in chapter six, Holden reveals that his roommate, Stradlater, hated it when one broke the rules. Holden continues to say that he does break the rules a lot which demonstrates that he rebellious and does not care what he is told to do. In comparison to the type of teenagers at the time, Holden is a very distinct individual.
DeleteBut to add to what Anna has said, I would like to point of that Holden’s red hunting hat is a symbol of comfort and a constant in his life. I’ve noticed that when Holden puts on his hat it is during times of frustration and/or loneliness and when he realizes that some things change. For instance, he puts his hat on when he has left Pency and is all alone in the streets. He states, “that hat I bought had earlaps in it, and I put them on – I didn’t give a damn how I looked. Nobody was around anyway” (page 69). Holden was alone that time in the night and he was lonely. To explain the hat being a constant in his life, it is evident that in chapter 16, when he is explaining how everything in the museum has remained the same but notices that when one visits in the future, they are the ones that change. On page 158, Holden explains, “I mean you’d be different in some way – I can’t explain what I mean. And even if I could, I’m not sure I’d feel like it. I took my old hunting hat out of my pocket while I walked, and put it on”. I believe that Holden did this in order to assure himself that there are still some things that never change because it seems as if Holden does not like change in his life.
The ducks in the Central Park lake is very interesting to me. Like Anna, I believe the curiosity of where the ducks go during the winter shows Holden’s youthfulness. However, that’s all I can think of it as. Does anyone see it differently than Anna and I?
-Jocelynn Padilla
I couldn't agree more with Anna regarding the fact that Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol of his uniqueness and individuality. His hat is quite eccentric, and it conveys a message that he aspires to be different from the people around him. Simultaneously, Holden appears to be self-conscious of his cap. He continuously makes note of when he is wearing his hat and he is careful not to wear his hat around people he personally knows. He wears his red hunting hat (peak in the back) as a way to alienate himself from the entire world.
DeleteWithin a few pages into the novel, we learn as readers that the night after Allie's death, Holden breaks all of the windows with his fist, resulting in a broken hand. Holden's inability to form a fist with his hand could be a representation of his inability to control one's destiny.
Holden's curiosity about where the ducks go symbolize his fear of change. He has reached a crossroad in his life once he is expelled from Pencey Prep and he does not know what to do. Similarly, the ducks that dwell in the lagoon are forced to relocate when their home is frozen over and make decisions for themselves that could possibly have a profound impact on their life.
-Briana A. Levett
After reading further into the novel and having more time with Holden's character and values as well as reading my peers comments on other posts i can conclude that Holden's values are very much a large contrast to the values of his time and that most kids in his age group would have. These "backward" values i believe manifest themselves in the way that Holden wears his bright red hunting cap backwards admitting "i swung the old peak around backwards- very corny ill admit,bu i liked it that way. I looked good in it that way" (pg 24). Holden's hat is also not too subtly tied into the title of the book with a backwards hat also being a choice for many catchers in baseball just like he visualizes his role as being a "catcher in the rye". In reference to the broken hand i conclude that it is a symbol for Holden and his rage for the death of his brother, Allie. the night his brother died Holden " broke all the goddamn windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. I even tried to break all the windows on the station wagon we had that summer, but my hand was already broken and everything by the time, and I couldn't do it. It was a very stupid thing to do, I'll admit, but I hardly didn't even know I was doing it, and you didn't know Allie." reflecting the feeling of guilt and rage Holden has over the acceptance of his brothers death and he carries that into his future as the events transpired when he was 13 but now hes "sixteen almost seventeen" and still carries this with him symbolically through his still physical pain with his hand.
ReplyDelete-Victor Naranjo
I agree with Victor's idea of the meaning of the red hunting hat. The hat shows both his conflict with the "preppy" lifestyle that is being pushed on him from the school and his differing values. Something to add to the hats meaning is that i see it also as a sort of escape from his world in a sense. putting his hat backwards lets him relax and ignore something that he really doesn't want to think about. The symbol of his broken fist is suppose to be his mentality. severely damaged after the death of his brother Allie. Although he has come to accept it, Holden is still not the same as he was before (represented by his inability to make a fist). He may never be the same again and will always be left in this state for the rest of his life. From what we can tell Allie was not just his brother but his best friend so his death would seriously affect our character. especially at a young age, this event could have also lead to his poor performance in school.
Delete-Michael Llanos
It seems to me that Holden’s red hunting hat represents his volatile personality. It gives Holden a sense of comfort, since he always wears it when facing difficult and important situations, like writing the descriptive essay about his little brother’s fielder’s mitt, and while screaming “Sleep tight, ya morons” (pg. 68). This hat says a lot about Holden and his way of coping. Caulfield tries hard to hide his vulnerability, and in a way, the hat helps him. Just like when he got in a fight with his roommate. He looks at himself on the mirror and he likes looking tough, even though he admits he is not and he is a pacifist. I feel Holden chose the hunting hat because he wanted to seem tough to others, he claims he “shoots people in this hat” (pg. 30). I think he chose the color red because of his little brother’s hair color. Holden fell some sort of admiration towards him for being so liberal and intelligent. I do think Caulfield is ahead of time since he wears the hat in a style that is really common nowadays.
ReplyDeleteWith the ducks of central park, I agree with what Anna explains. I feel like it shows a part of Holden that it’s not really blunt or lousy. It is his innocent side, just like when he admitted “The Secret Goldfish” to be the best story his brother wrote, even though the story is quite childish. Holden’s imaginative and creative personality is juxtaposed with his pessimistic and some sort of depressive point of view on society and life. What I wonder is why is Holden trying to act so tough and careless? He admits he is not too tough and several times in the novel we can see that he cares about people around him, Jane, the history teacher, his siblings and even about Ackley when he invites him to go out with him and Mal.
-Paulina Quesada
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ReplyDeleteThe color red is implemented frequently throughout the novel as a recurring symbol. Like my peers before me, I believe that Holden’s red hunting hat symbolizes his originality and nonconformance in a time where conformity reigns supreme. For instance, at the end of chapter eight, as Holden leaves his Pencey Prep dorm for the last time, he dons his red hunting hat and shouts, “Sleep tight, ya morons!” (pg. 59). When Holden said this, I felt as if he resented all of his fellow students irregardless of their involvement with him. In essence, Holden alienates himself from others at this moment in time. By putting on his red hat, our narrator shuns society and proclaims his uniqueness.
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, Holden’s bum hand is also an important symbol in The Catcher in the Rye. Holden reveals to us that he broke his hand in a fit of rage and distress when he found out that Allie, his beloved younger brother, passed away. Though Holden’s hand is no longer broken, he still cannot fully clinch his fist, as it has yet to—and may never—fully heal. Holden not being able to completely make a fist out of his injured hand parallels Holden’s inability to grasp and fully accept his brother’s death. Furthermore, Holden’s chronic, yet oft-occurring hand pain may further symbolize his recurring memories of Allie.
Finally, Holden’s off-kilter fascination of the Central Park in the beginning of chapter nine serves as a strong juxtaposition to Holden’s cynical tone displayed throughout the novel. His deep curiosity of the ducks’ winter migratory habits help show that Holden is indeed still a child at heart, which supports the recurring theme of age and Holden not wanting to transition into adulthood. I’m curious about everyone else’s interpretation of the symbols displayed in the novel so far.
-Brenden Gregorio
I agree with Paulina on Holden using the red hunting hat as a way of coping. I think being as unique as he can is his way of coping with events like Allie's death that happened in his "lousy childhood." The fact that his hand is irrevocably damaged from his outburst over Allie's death, to me, symbolizes how he is still carrying the burden of his his brother's death. The fact that he can't make a fist also comes into play when he is faced with a confrontational situation - with both Stradlater and Maurice, Holden could not bring himself to fight them.
ReplyDeleteI also see the ducks as Holden innocently musing over something childish. However, I also think the ducks in Central Park are significant because they always come back even after a brutal winter. I think this is a symbol for how Holden will survive this "madman stuff that happened" to him during these three days. After all, he does end up in a mental facility, which I hope means he's getting the proper help.
-Amy Lopez
I completely agree with my peer Amy on the idea of the red hunting hat being used, maybe subconsciously, as a way to cope with Allie's death. In the book, Holden can be observed describing Allie as a person he looked up to regardless of the fact that Allie was younger than him. The fact that Holden can no longer make a full fist due him breaking his hand while punching out the windows symbolizes how his brother took half of Holden's strength with him when he passed, represented by the single broken hand.
Delete-Marco Wende
I agree with Paulina on Holden using the red hunting hat as a way of coping. I think being as unique as he can is his way of coping with events like Allie's death that happened in his "lousy childhood." The fact that his hand is irrevocably damaged from his outburst over Allie's death, to me, symbolizes how he is still carrying the burden of his his brother's death. The fact that he can't make a fist also comes into play when he is faced with a confrontational situation - with both Stradlater and Maurice, Holden could not bring himself to fight them.
ReplyDeleteI also see the ducks as Holden innocently musing over something childish. However, I also think the ducks in Central Park are significant because they always come back even after a brutal winter. I think this is a symbol for how Holden will survive this "madman stuff that happened" to him during these three days. After all, he does end up in a mental facility, which I hope means he's getting the proper help.
-Amy Lopez
I agree with my peer Amy, Holden is at a point in his life where everything is messed up & force him to grow up and the symbols that Salinger leaves throughout the book is to try to keep his inner child & innocence intact.
DeleteFor example, the hunting hat is a symbol of Holden's unique personality, (which is quite childish), and him not wearing it all the time, is to show strangers that he is mature. However if you pay close attention Holden only puts on the hat when he feels vulnerable or thinks about the past, (his childhood).
Concurrently, the color red is a common theme throughout the story. In fact the hunting hat is red. Personally , I believe that the color red symbolizes Holden's pain, and Allie's hair being red is in fact a mix of Holden's pain of missing his brother and the emptiness he feels without Allie.
Lastly, the ducks in the Central Park symbolize Holden's pureness. He constantly ask questions about the ducks just like a 5 year old child would. All these symbols have the common theme in helping Holden hang on to his childhood or make him think about his past.
-Breana Barnes
I felt as if the red hat does point to a violent and angry side of the protagonist in relation to the world that he is involved in when compared to who he truly is. The red color symbolizes the fact that he feels resentful of the people and expectations around him. But I also felt that the red hat was Holden's own 'thing', something he could have for himself that would help remind him that he is not alone. I know that some of my own peers, like myself, have small items that we carry around often, such as bracelets, earphones, or necklaces. I feel that maybe Holden cares so much for this hat because it not only reflects his anger and rebellious nature, but it also serves as a keepsake that will comfort him. He would put on the hat when he was walking on the street and say that he did not care if he looked weird in any way, which shows that he finds comfort in the hat for himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brenden that Holden's inability to fully clench his fist shows that he cannot grasp the fact that Allie is gone. However, I would like to add on to that idea. First, after having broken his hand, it would never fully be the same again. Like Holden has said, he is not able to make a fist. Therefore I thought that this was a symbol of changing times for the worst. His life would never be the same without Allie, and neither would his parents' lives be the same. The tight bond he felt with Allie, the fist, would never be as tight as it used to be. Times were changing for the worst.
Yet again, I also agree with Brenden's idea that Holden's curiosity of where the ducks go during the winter is a juxtaposition to his cynical behavior. I admit that I was very confused when the narrator continued to mention this question about the ducks. I would expect that a young man his age would understand the basic patterns of nature. But after analyzing it a bit more, I concluded that he was was also inquiring about what would happen to himself after he finally got home and reunited with his family. Would he restart school? Would he just find a small job and work? Will he even continue living at home? The ducks possibly symbolize Holden himself. He asks specifically where they go for winter because the winter season resembles harsh times, which are bound to come for Holden after being kicked out of school multiple times, along with his lack of sanity at times. He possibly fears what would happen next to his life, and how he should handle it.
I felt as if the red hat does point to a violent and angry side of the protagonist in relation to the world that he is involved in when compared to who he truly is. The red color symbolizes the fact that he feels resentful of the people and expectations around him. But I also felt that the red hat was Holden's own 'thing', something he could have for himself that would help remind him that he is not alone. I know that some of my own peers, like myself, have small items that we carry around often, such as bracelets, earphones, or necklaces. I feel that maybe Holden cares so much for this hat because it not only reflects his anger and rebellious nature, but it also serves as a keepsake that will comfort him. He would put on the hat when he was walking on the street and say that he did not care if he looked weird in any way, which shows that he finds comfort in the hat for himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brenden that Holden's inability to fully clench his fist shows that he cannot grasp the fact that Allie is gone. However, I would like to add on to that idea. First, after having broken his hand, it would never fully be the same again. Like Holden has said, he is not able to make a fist. Therefore I thought that this was a symbol of changing times for the worst. His life would never be the same without Allie, and neither would his parents' lives be the same. The tight bond he felt with Allie, the fist, would never be as tight as it used to be. Times were changing for the worst.
Yet again, I also agree with Brenden's idea that Holden's curiosity of where the ducks go during the winter is a juxtaposition to his cynical behavior. I admit that I was very confused when the narrator continued to mention this question about the ducks. I would expect that a young man his age would understand the basic patterns of nature. But after analyzing it a bit more, I concluded that he was was also inquiring about what would happen to himself after he finally got home and reunited with his family. Would he restart school? Would he just find a small job and work? Will he even continue living at home? The ducks possibly symbolize Holden himself. He asks specifically where they go for winter because the winter season resembles harsh times, which are bound to come for Holden after being kicked out of school multiple times, along with his lack of sanity at times. He possibly fears what would happen next to his life, and how he should handle it.
To me, Holden’s hunting cap gives him a feeling of security. He only ever wears it when he is feeling insecure or lonely. He puts it on when he is alone in the streets and unable to sleep. He also wears the earflaps too when he is cold, to give himself warmth. In a way it reminds me of a security blanket. Something to hold on to that feels safe and warm. The color of the hat also gives of the feeling of warmth. Red may be the color of blood, but blood is also what gives life and warmth. Humans wouldn’t be able to live without blood. Red is also the color of Allie’s and possible Phoebe’s hair as well, people whom he dearly loves and love him back. It may be a sign of independence and originality, but to me it is a sign of warmth and security.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie after reading her post, I never thought about it that way but I like how you mention the color red was not really a negative thing for him because the hat which gave him the comfort he needed and also made him standout which I believe he wanted, gave him exactly what he needed as you called it "warmth" it is interesting how you also point out his siblings hair is red and he loves his siblings. Throughout the entire book I can not recall anything red that was negative. The hat also to me symbolizes his sense of uniqueness which he displays majorly and as well as comfort when he found himself in an awkward situation.
DeleteHolden's red hunting hat is a significant figure in the book. The red hat (in agreement with my peers) is a sign of uniqueness. Although he wears it often due to the cold, Holden is very self conscious about wearing the hat. For example, when Holden walked the thirty plus blocks from the bar to the hotel he wore the hat with the flaps down to keep warm and mentioned that he did not care how he looked because there wasn't anyone around but a couple that crossed a street here and there. Attributing to the color red, Holden characterizes the earliest forms in the 50's of cynicism.
ReplyDeleteThere is a correlation of the color red on his hat, and when Hilden broke his hand punching the wall soon after Allie passed away. There is no coincidence that the cover of the book is splashed with the color red.
I myself was lost in why Holden asked the taxi drivers where the ducks migrate during winter, yet after closely analyzing, Holden is relating to the ducks because he himself is heading home for winter. However he's curios what will happen to the ducks, thus he is curious to know what happens to Holden when he returns home.
-Jose (Tony) Delgado Jr.
Holden is first mentioned wearing the hat after he spoke to Mr. Spencer and after he left Pencey Prep. I agree with the aforementioned comments in that the hat may serve as a symbol for the narrator’s independence; he is now free from the hold of education and from authorities such as his professor Mr. Spencer. In chapter 3, Holden claims that his hat is a “people-shooting hat.” Initially, I thought this foreshadowed a murder the narrator would commit in the future. However, this crime seemed too extreme for the personality of the narrator. After further analysis, I believe that the hat also demonstrates Holden’s ability to “shoot” people with criticism, as he possesses a negative view towards the world and everything that surrounds him. As for the color red, I believe that it is associated with Holden’s apprehension towards violence. As Mr. Rodriguez noted, the color red is seen in the color of Allie’s hair, the blood that was shed after Allie’s death, and after a fight with his roommate. The color red is evidently found in a violent scene in the novel. However, Holden seems to be apprehensive towards this violence.
ReplyDeleteLater in the novel, Holden converses with a taxi cab driver and asks him questions regarding the disappearance of the ducks during the winter when the pond in Central Park freezes. The taxi cab driver claims that the ducks go through the same situation as fish and that “they live right in the…ice.” I agree with Anna’s statement as I acknowledge that J.D. Salinger displays Holden asking this question to remind the readers of his youthful spirit and curiosity. The disappearance of the ducks during the winter may also serve as a symbol. Evidently after Allie’s death, Holden was traumatized concerning the idea of disappearance, death, and change. The disappearance of the ducks symbolizes this idea of change in that their disappearance is only temporary, thus implying that change is only temporary. Additionally, the fact that the pond is frozen may also symbolize Holden’s view of the world itself. Holden, a cynical character, thus possesses a cold, negative view of the world. The quote explains that the fish deal with the ice even in its frozen state. This may imply that although the world is cynical and cold, individuals must learn to live and adapt to it.
-Abigail Zaratan
After Holden purchases the red hunting hat, he explains himself saying that, "It only cost me a buck. The way I wore it, I swung the old peak way around to the back - very corny, I'll admit it, but I liked it that way. I looked good in it that way." Holden himself admits that it looks a little odd on him, but he claims that he likes it. The hat shows up, or is talked about, during important times during the story. These times include when he is writing the composition about Allie's baseball mitt, staring at himself in the mirror and pretending to be tough after getting punched, and when he yells "Sleep tight, ya morons!" down the hall. I noticed that he loves wearing the hat in private, but he's embarrassed to wear it out in public. When he wears it, he feels he gets to be tough and individual, explaining the red color. Ultimately, I believe the red hunting cap serves as a symbol of uniqueness and individualism for Holden.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the color red represents a sort of purity in childhood. I believe that this is the case because Allie had red har, and on page 79 Holden is reminiscing about Jane and states, "...after a while she got up and went in and put on the red and white sweater she had..." Both Jane and Allie were a part of Holden's childhood and he knew them when they were not corrupted by society.
The night after Allie's death, Holden slept in the garage and broke "all the goddamn windows with my fist, just for the hell of it..." I believe that Holden's broken hand symbolizes his anger and guilt towards Allie's death, anger and guilt that has never fully healed.
Holden's curiosity about where the ducks go during the winter reveals a more genuine side to his character. The ducks in the pond could possibly represent change and disappearance. They vanish during the winter, but always end up coming back. This means that change is not permanent, but it is always taking place. This relates to the dramatic changes that have taken place in Holden's life, such as his brother passing away.
-Justin Bleisch
I haven't read much I'm barely in chapter 7 but for what I've read I can say I don't completely agree with some of my peers that say Holden uses the red hat as for coping. I think he just liked it and that's why he bought it because he is a unique character and the way he wears it is special since many have mentioned already he is ahead of his time. "...I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am - I really do - but people never notice it." (Pg. 13) I believe Holden's way of thinking is interesting because it's showing that he is changing like not following "traditions" as like in that period of time.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the meaning behind Holden's broken hand is that he really hasn't still forgotten and he misses his brother. In the book he mentions how during the accident he was breaking the windows kind of unconsciously like knowing what he was doing but not at the same time, now not being able to make a real fist anymore it's a significance of how much anger, depression, and sadness he felt when he lost his brother and he mentions how he doesn't really care about not being able to make a fist but I agree with Justin B. when he mentions how "that has never fully healed" like saying he still hasn't found resignation by the death of his brother. This symbolizes a strong union between brothers (love between brothers) Holden did this as a way to release his frustration and anger (breaking the windows).
-Karla Puentes
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ReplyDeleteI agree with what my peers have to say about the red hat. However, i would like to add on to that. Holden wears the hat during several occasions: when he writes the composition for Stradlater, after his fight, and during his walk down that cold street. Just as Mackenzie had mentioned, I believe that the hat serves as a "security blanket" for Holden. It is a comforting item for him. During his writing, he wears the hat to help him think. It gives him clarity. After his fight with Stradlater and when he screams "Sleep tight, ya morons!" (Salinger 52), the hat gives him a sense of toughness and boosts his confidence. In other words, the red hat is something that reassures him. While he walks down the street, his hat gave him comfort and acted as a shield. After further analysis, I came to the conclusion that his red hat brings him back to being himself and shields him from the "phonies" he believes is surrounded by.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I did not pay much attention to the color red. I only noted the red on his hat. But after reading my peers's comments and rereading a few chapters, I realized a trend with the color red; it was a prominent color whenever he would think about his childhood. Just as Mr. Rodriguez had mentioned, Allie had red hair. Just as one of my peers noted, his flashback of Jane described her with a red and white sweater. Both of these characters are people that Holden are quite fond of. Yes, there was red blood, but I interpreted it as a symbol for vulnerability and innocence, rather than violence. All in all, the color red represents innocence and vulnerabiltity, because Holden saw it in people he thought were not "phonies" and were a good part of his childhood.
His broken fist is significant, in that it demonstrates his passion and love for his brother. Just as my peers have mentioned, Holden cannot fully grasp his brother's death. This violence that he demonstrated, foreshadows how he may react if he loses another person he adores.
As for the ducks, I agree with Negin, in that they relate to Holden. They somehow survive through the brutal and cold winter, just as Holden is able to tolerate the "phonies" and "bastards" he is surrounded by. I also believe that the question about the ducks is simply another instance of his youthful mind. However, I would like more clarification on the ducks. Can you guys help me out, and tell me your interpretations of the ducks?
-Daphne Tortoles
Similar to the interpretations of my previous peers, the significance of the red hunting hat Holden wears throughout the book represents his individuality and develops the overarching theme of rebelliousness. The hunting hat itself is an unusual article of clothing to wear in public and for him to wear it on a somewhat regular basis is quite strange. However, Holden’s eccentric fashion choice is a way of him expressing to the world his individuality and that he does not care what people think of him. His lack of attention to other people’s thoughts would also explain why he continues to wear the hunting cap backwards. When thinking if Holden is “ahead of his time,” I do believe that that is true. He was, as Mr. Rodriguez described him, the precedent and the inspiration for the rebellious twenty-first century teenager.
ReplyDeleteRed is seen multiple times by Holden. It is the color of his hunting hat, his deceased brother Allie’s hair, and his blood after being punched in the nose. What I believe the color red represents in his life is violence. The hunting hat, for example, is worn by people that kill animals. Holden’s constant exposure to red could signify how violence will always be a part of his life despite his efforts to avoid it. For instance, after Allie’s death, Holden was filled with anger and sadness. In order to cope with his loss, he punched a wall to the point where it broke and he could no longer form a fist. The fact that the effects of that event still lingers represents how much Allie’s death affected Holden and how significant his brother was in his life that his influence is still present.
Amy’s understanding of Holden’s constant inquiries about where the ducks go during the winter was interesting. I do agree to the fact that the ducks returning to the lake even after a harsh winter does signify how Holden himself will be able to handle his own personal issues no matter the difficulty. Also, the numerous cab drivers that could not provide a concrete answer about the ducks represent how Holden’s future is uncertain. Similar to the ducks, Holden will be able to navigate from point A to point B in life even though his methods of doing so are unknown.
- Kelvin Alvero
Hunting hats are meant to be camouflage and are worn by those who try to blend in with their surroundings. Just like Anna said, I believe Holden wears the red hunting hat so often, red being such a bold color, because he wants to be seen, he wants those around him to be aware of him. It seems to connect back to his feelings of isolation. Despite him constantly being bothered by Ackley, or having a roommate like Stradlater, Holden still seems to feel alone, so he wears the red hunting hat to give himself the satisfaction of being noticed.
ReplyDeleteThe color red seems to be depicted throughout the story because it symbolizes incidents that have harmed Holden physically or mentally. The color red almost seems like the enemy, with the exception of the hunting hat. His brother, who died of leukemia, had “very red hair". The fight that he had with Stadlater became gory and bloody, leaving him with “blood all over [his] mouth and chin and even on [his] pajamas and bathrobe". Both of these incidents have had an impact on Holden, whether short term or long term, and whether physical or mental. In this case, I think red represents violence, and symbolizes incidents that have left a ghostly impression on Holden.
Just like many others students have said, I also believe that Holden’s lack of ability to clench his fist represents the emotional impact and the burden he feels over the death of his brother, Allie. Hands, in particular, seem significant when he introduces his brother. Allie had a left-handed fielder’s mitt which had “poems written all over the fingers and the pockets and everywhere.” Maybe the hands suggest that Holden doesn’t feel closure over his death. I think Allie’s death is one of the many factors accountable for Holden’s rebellious nature, so therefore I believe that the mitt and Holden’s inability to clench his fist represent his distraught temperament and his lack of control over his life.
As previously mentioned by other student I would have to agree that the red hat proves to symbolize his uniqueness and individuality. It has become quite common for individuals to wear certain types of clothing or to wear accessories that are unique for them. Every single day I notice people with tattoos or earrings, which signify they are true to themselves and what they believe in. I believe Holden's red cat is a sign that he is a free willed narrator. The fact that the hat is red really signifies Holden's boldness and he is basically telling everyone" I don't care!” (previously mentioned by peers as well) I find that around the 1950s was really the initiation of rebelliousness and the act of fighting for what an individual believes in. Maybe Holden has a strong belief that is not evident to readers or maybe it is simply a fight against the so-called culture of America during that respected time. Additionally, the red signifies emotional trauma that the narrator has felt throughout his life such as the loss of his older brother, Allie or other possible events that have not been mentioned in the novel yet. As we all know, the retelling of past events is taken place in a mental ward so he has taken the initiative to get help in the hopes of moving on and becoming a stronger individual, one with a more positive mindset that really appreciates life. This may be too early to really, but I wish J.D. Salinger continued his work revolving around Holden Caulfield, but I feel as if the author justifies his short conclusion by leaving readers asking themselves "will he ever get the help he needs?"
ReplyDeleteI agree with all my peers claiming that the meaning of the red hunting hat portrays Holden's uniqueness and individuality into the world. He does seem ahead of his time because his fashion choice is a bit eccentric for the 1950's. Despite that, it will always remind the reader how Holden separates from the rest of the people living in his time. Not only that, but the unique style conveys Holden's rebellious attitude towards the world, and it is remarkable since Holden is known as an icon of teenage rebellion to this day.
ReplyDeleteThe color red, as Mr. Rodriguez articulates, is known for violence, blood, or anger. In this case, the color may perceive towards the anger Holden sustains towards the world. The anger can result from many factors: his brother's death from leukemia, being kicked out of school four times, his dysfunctional life from his parents, and his feeling of isolation from the world. Because of this anger it develops into a cynical attitude Holden has built for himself and sometimes leads to violent acts. For instance, his violent act of punching a window due to his brother's death. Maybe there was blood or no blood in that incident, but the action left his hand in a state where it is difficult to make a fist again. The symbol of his damaged hand can convey the damage Holden has himself undergone. From his brother's death to being kicked out of school, maybe Holden was not always this kind of sarcastic, rude, cynical person. Maybe he was a better person, but all these factors may have made him changed and like his hand, may never go back to being the same ever again.
Now the symbol with the ducks: the short answer is they fly south in order to find abundant food sources. The deeper answer is the meaning of this has probably been in front of us the whole time. Perhaps Holden repeatedly asks taxi drivers this question because the ducks are him. He is looking for the answer of where to go nect, but since the taxi drivers cannot give him a direct answer he does not know where to go. Due to this, Holden has no direction to life in this moment and feels lost. That may be why he has been travelling all over New York in search of doing something: because he is looking for his destination in life. That destination will most likely give him his purpose in life. That is why he is unsure of going back to his parents so soon because he probably wonders if that is the direction he is/ is not suppose to go towards. Holden is a duck who knows has to migrate, but does not know whether to go north or south.
-Brandon Sanchez
With the introduction of the red hunting hat in the earlier chapters, it seemed as though the protagonist was in pursuit of a more tangible indicator of individuality. Throughout the book, it becomes increasingly obvious that Holden Caulfield isolates himself from others whom he believes to be false in their mannerisms and behavior. In addition to this however, we also see a determination to be unique and mature. In chapter 3, on page 24, the main character states, "The way I wore it, I swung the old peak way around to the back- very corny, I'll admit it, but I liked it that way". In doing so, there is made a very distinct point regarding how Holden feels about his appearance and how he conducts himself. Rather than following the unspoken rules laid out for him which in his mind would cause him to abandon his principles and act as fake as those he criticizes, he goes out of his way to ensure that aspects of his persona remain explicitly distinguishable. Like many other leading figures seen as being ahead of their time in their fashion style or other cultural inclination, it appears that Holden Caulfield feels misunderstood because very few people in his life think the way that he does. Apart from his older brother D.B., dearly departed younger brother Allie, and younger sister Phoebe, nobody has described society during this time as a mass of "phony" individuals being completely dishonest with one another in an effort to ascertain wealth and influence or simply appear cultured or knowledgeable. As a result, the red hunting hat, similar to a number of rash actions taken by the protagonist as the story continues, functions as a means of forcing those around him to see the world from a different perspective; one more keen on being true to oneself.
ReplyDeleteEqually important is the color of the hunting hat. Red can be seen as a symbol of anger or violence, but also serves as a depiction of vibrancy and life. As mentioned by a number of my peers regarding the setting of 1960s Manhattan, I believe the color red is meant to stand out against the gloomy backdrop of an otherwise bleak metropolitan giant. Though mistakes are made by the main character throughout the book, I think that author J.D. Salinger desires for his audience to see the beauty in life itself, for the way in which we live our lives is what makes them unique. Like the color red, life can at times be soft and relaxing, but quickly turn to a more daunting, dark pastel. In this way, we must take it for what it is and understand that life is never perfect, but it will always be what we make it, as the manner in which Holden Caulfield chose to wear his hat or the color he thought best suited his personality.
As for his late younger brother Allie, it seems that the connection they shared follows the pattern established in the relationships described concerning his two other siblings. There is obviously a deep love felt by the protagonist regarding his siblings which can be seen in his appreciation of his older brothers books, his eagerness to buy a simple record for his younger sister, and his emotional outburst in response to his younger brother's death. The vivid description provided detailing the manner in which Holden violently broke all the windows in his family's garage until he broke his hand only emphasized the pain of loss and grief he experienced in the short time following his younger brother's death. And the continual mentioning of his inability to make a fist as a result of that significant event in my mind symbolizes an inability to overcome his sorrow and anger regarding the loss of his brother. Similarly, I think that the protagonist's constant inquiry as to the whereabouts of the ducks inhabiting central park during the winter reflects his wonder as to what happens to a soul after death. Like these ducks, it seems as if Allie, in Holden's mind, was forced to abandon his home as more inhospitable circumstances approach
-Quentin Cruz-Boyer
I agree with many of the responses above regarding Holden's red hunting hat. I believe that despite the embarrassment he feels, the significance of the hunting hat is how Holden perceives himself, his uniqueness and individuality. Throughout the novel, the hunting hat is mentioned during crucial parts of the story when Holden stares at his reflection after he ends a bloody fight against Stradlater as well as when he wrote a descriptive composition about Allie's baseball mitt. I believe the hunting hat is an important characteristic of Holden because it defines his identity. Considering the hunting hat is a people shooting hat, I assume that the hat gives Holden strength in times of despair. The hat itself makes him seem more tough and during the parts of the story where he gets angered or depressed, the hunting hat is later involved in the story. All in all, I conceive that the hunting hat also is Holden's way of escaping from his problems considering he wears this hat backwards in order for it to hide his face.
ReplyDeletePart of me wants to believe that the use of the color red symbolizes the pain, anger, and fights that Holden has endured so far. Furthermore, connecting the color with Allie, a prediction I had in mind was that since Allie was a red head, the color red could have reminded Holden about the tragic of his brother's death. During the scene when Holden looks at his own reflection after the fist fight with Stradlater, looking at the gory and his bloody face, it implied Holden accepting and his way of coping with all the pain, sorrow, and depression due to his brother's passing along with other factors.
The symbolism of gives hope and strength for Holden during his most troubled times. He notices that the ducks find their way on their own but always manage to come back and reappear in any given weather condition. The ducks can symbolize Holden and his potential and hope for enduring. From reading the novel so far, Holden has experienced and suffered from depression, disappointment, incredible loss and rejection. Hodlen has the choice of being like the ducks. He can either give up or he can get back up, believe, and stay positively hopeful.
-Micah Rodriguez
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ReplyDeleteI feel that the hat is symbolic of Holden's alienation. During this time period, wearing a baseball cap appeared to be the norm, but wearing a red hunting hat makes Holden stand out. In a way its almost like an attachment to childhood innocence, due to the fact that wearing such a hat may seem silly and immature. As people mentioned before, the color red might represent Holden's pain. It's connected to his pain of being a child and being unable to transition into an adult. The ducks are a unique symbol. When the lagoon freezes, the ducks adapt and move away to survive. Unlike Holden, he is unable to make this kind of adaptation into adulthood. This explains why he asks this question so frequently, he is fascinated about the duck's ability to adapt because he cannot do it himself.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the red hat portrays violence, blood, and anger, it also illustrates Holden's uniqueness and individuality. Hunting hats are not a common product to wear and is rare to find on someone while strolling down the streets of Manhattan. Not to mention, a red hunting hat. However, we are exposed to the fact that Holden does not care of his external appearance or what other people have to say. With the bold choice of red, I agree with my peers that in some way Holden wants to be seen or be aware of due to his loneliness. He escapes to isolation because not many people understand or relate to his mentality. Wearing the red hat brings comfort to Holden and reveals himself wanting to be true to himself. The odd fashion choice is believed to distinct himself from the people he despises the most, "phonies."
ReplyDeleteHolden's inability to fully make a fist again is a significant symbol in the novel. After being told of his younger brother, Allie, passing away due to Leukemia Holden expressed his grief through anger by punching windows. With that incident, Holden may or may not fully heal just as he might not be able to fully heal and accept the death of his brother. Throughout his life he will always have something that will remind him of his brother. I question if Holden will ever accept Allie has departed and become optimistic with what life has to offer.
While reading the parts of the novel where Holden questions the ducks whereabouts during winter, I did not fully understand what he was trying to convey. However, through analysis and rereading I can better interpret the symbolism. I agree with Brandon that the ducks are a symbol of Holden. After being kicked out of four prep schools and his negative life, Holden has lost direction and is unsure of where to go. His future is clouded due to him not revealing any dreams and/or aspirations. I believe Holden cares so much about the ducks because no else seems to find interest in them during the winter. If Holden fully understands where the ducks migrated, he will be able to determine himself and also understand why Allie passed. This is significant because once he accept Allie is gone he can fully move forward in life and change his perception of a pessimistic and cynical view point into an optimistic and hopeful one.
Sabrina makes a great point in saying that hunting hats are intended for camouflage and to blend into one's surroundings. I question though the effectiveness of a red hunting hat amongst all its surroundings. I agree with my other peers that the symbolism of the red hunting hat for Holden is his own way of standing out and expressing himself in a place where he does not belong. As Mr.Rodriguez has pointed out, red is an easy color to analyze and is bold. Considering that Holden's education is held in a place where discipline and tradition are emphasized, I feel that Holden's hat is his own form of defiance against the institution. Many of my peers have mentioned Holden's popular line in the novel in which he screams "Sleep tight, ya morons!" (Salinger 52) after his fight with Stradlater. I agree most with Daphne that the red hunting hat gave Holden the confidence to say this line to someone he seemed to fear/dislike. Holden is characterized as someone who speaks his mind no matter how brutal the truth may be. Like characters in other novels, he also has weaknesses. In the moments of the novel where Holden wears the hat he becomes this escalated version of himself.
ReplyDeleteMany of my peers have focused primarily on the significance of the color red in relation to Holden's younger brother, Allie who had passed away from Leukemia. I wanted to look at this symbol from a different angle in considering that the color red is significant in points in the novel where Holden is put into his place. Both Holden's red hunting hat and Allie's red hair are symbols that seemingly bring peace to Holden. Specifically in the scene where Holden gets into a fist fight with Stradlater, Holden does not seem afraid and openly fights back. When the blood appears in the scene, the fight stops and Holden is left in the room. I also want to call attention to the fact that Holden's red hunting hat was not with him during the fight, and was not able to locate it until after.
I agree with my peers that Holden's injury and his inability to clench his fist is in relation to his difficulty to let go of his younger brother Allie. Holden reminisces on his earlier memories of his family, specifically Allie. His inability to clench his fist is a constant reminder of his brother that seemingly will never go away.
Holden's question about the ducks in the winter is not just a simple question. I believe that he questions the ducks throughout the duration of the novel because he wonders what they do when they are set in an environment they are not comfortable or familiar with. Like Holden, the ducks are not fit for their environment, therefore migrate somewhere else, similar to Holden's journey to Manhattan.
-Allison Baciles
Holden is indeed a unique kid, and I cant agree more with what has already been said. Him wearing a red hunting hat furthermore exemplifies his individuality as a non-conformist towards society. In actuality we know he does not care what other people think about him. Personally I believe the red hunting hat stays true to its meaning, after all it is designed for hunting. When one wears a hunting hat it is to one offer warmth and two alert other hunters there is another human hunting, and in this case I see Holden as a hunter. I picture Holden walking down the city streets with his red hat, I am starting to picture him with a giant chip on his shoulder. He has strong resentment and hatred brewing due to his constant failures in school, problems with his family, and him never fully recouping over the death of his sibling. I feel like when he wears the hat he is unstable but ready to take a next shot at something, much like a hunter would. I believe with the constant use of the color red, the author is indeed depicting violence as well as foreshadowing it. For instance the blood coming down from his face after getting into a fight, blood from when he punched the window, the color of his brothers hair who died. As one could see violence is constantly appearing throughout the book and I have a feeling more violence will soon come. As for his broken hand I do agree that it is illustrating him not being able to fully heal from losing a brother. We can defiantly see how Holden is a bit confused on his path in life. I can not agree more with Negin when she stated that the ducks represent Holden. I myself thought the exact same thing, for instance he is so curious where the ducks would go when the going get tough (their water gets frozen), this relates to Holden because as his going gets tough (life in general) he is trying to figure out his next move on where we needs to go.
ReplyDelete-Dennis O'Brien (DJ)
First, looking at Holden's unusual hunting hat I would first like to note the way he wears his hat. Instead of wearing it normally Caulfield chooses to wear it backwards. In doing so, the hat being backwards represents Caulfield's rebelliousness which is present throughout the novel. Although the red color of the hat usually symbolizes pain, suffering, and violence in this particular novel I agree with Ryan in saying that it represents Caulfield's uniqueness and individuality. The fashion trend of the time did not include hunting hats, Caulfield being the outspoken individual he is chooses to wear this hat to be separate from society.
ReplyDeleteReferring back to Caulfield's broken hand, it is revealed that it was due to his reaction to Allie's death. I believe that the permanent damage that his broken hand sustained symbolizes a sort of inability to truly accept Allie's passing. Although he may not be able to make a full fist, what Caulfield does have is a way to remember his cherished sibling for the rest of his life, and that is something unique.
Lastly, the ducks in central park represent a huge part of Caulfield and where he is. So far he has been kicked out of 3 different prep schools and is unsure of where he will go in the future. When Caulfield asks about where the ducks go, I believe it is because he is also in need of guidance and needs to be pointed in the right direction. Maybe if he finds out where the ducks go, he himself will find a path to take toward his future.
-Angel Cortez
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ReplyDeleteHolden’s hat caught my attention since the very beginning of the book. The peculiar fashion choice tells us more about Holden as a character. I think that the hat serves as a way for Salinger to give Holden’s rebellious attitude a physical representation. The combination of its vibrant color and Holden’s unusual style of wearing it backwards embodies his rejection of the traditions of his time. Hunting hats were worn, as the name suggests, while hunting; not as a part of casual fashion, especially in a city like Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteHolden wears this hat on many occasions, including: when he’s the only one in the dorms during the big football game, right before he left Pencey, and after he left Ernie’s night club. These three times are the only ones that I have read about so far, but I am certain that there are more occasions later on in the book. Regardless, these instances are alike in that Holden is alone in each moment. He was alone in the dorms, he left Pencey alone, and he walked for “forty-one gorgeous blocks” alone. I believe at these times, Holden’s feelings of isolation are overwhelming. To cope with his loneliness, he dons the red hat. This brings me to my next point. The color of the hat matches his dead brother and the blood from his nose when Stradlater punched him. I particularly enjoyed reading how Daphne Tortoles interprets the color red as a representation of “innocence and vulnerability, rather than violence”. I can agree that Holden associates the color with fond memories of people from his childhood (i.e. Jane and her sweater and Allie’s hair). The red hat gives Holden a nostalgic sense of belonging and security, and he wears it only in times of extreme loneliness.
We also come to find out that Holden broke his hand in a burst of rage following the untimely death of his brother, Allie. Holden states that he “can’t make a real fist any more – not a tight one” (Salinger 51). I think Holden’s weak hand and his inability to make a tight fist represent his mental illness that may have roots in this traumatic experience. Much like his hand, Holden’s mental instability has not fully healed (which explains why he is in a mental institute).
Lastly, I think that the ducks are indeed a reflection of Holden. His interest in their annual migration during the cold, harsh winter shows how he might be searching for his own way to “migrate” away from his intolerable surroundings. Additionally, ducks return to their home location once winter is over and the hardships of winter are gone. I think Holden is intrigued by this because he would like to know if his emotional winter (his depression) will end, and if so, if he will be able to return to a safe and warm home.
Holden’s unusual hunting hat is used when he is playing around and when he is bored, the interesting thing about the hat is that he still chooses to wear the hat backwards as some sign of rebellion. Sabrina makes a good point in saying that hunting hats are meant to be camouflage but Holden chooses a red one because he wants to be notice when he is feeling isolated. I feel that Holden uses the hunting hat as a form of escape and to feel that he can be notice only if it last for a second. The color red is a symbol of violence and harm it can either be physical or mental harm. Relating it with Holden’s life it can be a reminder that something bad happen for example his lack of ability to clench his fist can be more of a mental harm because it’s a reminder of the death of his brother Allie, even if at the time it could have been a physical harm that he did by punching the wall now it is more of a mental harm that is in his mind and he doesn’t yet feel the closure over his death. Like my peers have pointed out maybe one of the reasons of Holden’s rebellion is due to the fact that Holden still has have no real closure over his brother death.
ReplyDelete-Carolina Estrada
Although the author did not explain why, it is clear that Holden has some sort of attachment to his hunting hat. I interpreted the red hunting hat as a symbol of his attitude. Holden puts on the hat in order to stand out and separate himself from the world and when he wants to fit in again, Holden puts the hat away. I believe Salinger specifically chose the hat to be a red hunter’s hat in order to portray Holden as a changing young man who is ‘hunting’ (searching) for a unique form of himself. For a majority of the book , Holden comes across multiple situations where he is tested and continues to search for the true version of himself.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I agree with Brenden that the ducks can represent Holden’s overall curiosity as a child. However, I also interpret it as Holden’s inability to understand death. Holden notes that ducks disappear in the winter and that they magically reappear. I believe that Holden connects this with his late brother (Allie) and how he may have disappeared and has not showed up again.
-Jassin Reyes
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ReplyDeleteIn accordance with Mr. Rodriguez’s recognition of the color red and the symbolism behind it, I believe that this color held positive connotation throughout the book and mainly correlates with Holden’s childhood. I realized the prominence of the color red after it was introduced several times; Allie and Phoebe’s hair, Jane’s sweater, the inappropriate message on the tomb wall, the elephants on Phoebe’s pajamas, and the blood from James Castle. Holden is seemingly fond of the people that are associated to the color, especially his brother and sister who he shows little to no aversion toward throughout the book. His older brother, D.B., was not mentioned to have red hair like his other siblings nor maintained an item identified as red; because of Holden’s fondness with Allie and Phoebe and minor distaste toward D.B. and his career, D.B. was not deserving of the color red and therefore was not assigned the color symbol in the book. Jane was also introduced as a well-liked character by Holden, and although the red in her sweater was very subtle, it signified one of Holden’s favorite childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may seem as though the impolite remark written in red crayon in the mummy tomb represented negativity in Holden’s eyes, it symbolized the remarkable distinction between immaturity and Holden’s growing maturity. Before the final “F— you” was introduced in the tomb, Holden franticly attempted to scrub off the other graffiti that was written in the elementary school because it drove him “damn near crazy” (260). It was only the one written in red crayon that Holden did not try to remove, which may be seen as ironic because crayon is easier to remove than something engraved into a wall. This solely signifies Holden’s realization that it is not his business what children do, for he has grown far beyond that level of maturity and is sensible enough to let it be. The red marking was purposely placed in the tomb because this location was part of Holden’s childhood that he described as “so nice and peaceful” (264).
Regarding the red hunting hat, I believe that Holden uses it for comfort during times of distraught; Holden pulled the hat out while writing Stradlater’s essay, after being punched by Stradlater, and after leaving Pencey. His attachment to the hat was indisputably unbreakable, however he was very much allowing of his little sister to have it. As a big brother should, Holden wanted to ensure that Phoebe attained a sufficient amount of comfort wherever she was or whatever she was doing, and the hat was, in his eyes, the best representation of that solace. Like Daphne described, Holden also uses this hat as a protective shield and even implied, “My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection, in a way…” (275). The hat’s appearance only acted as an item of consolidation and was a leading symbol in the book.
Finally, the ducks that Holden remained consistent about during his car rides in the taxis merely symbolizes the concepts of continuity. I believe that Holden has a fear of permanence, and his curiosity about whether the ducks migrate in the winter reflect his own situation. Constantly placing himself in inhospitable environments due to his attempt at alienation has made Holden feel uneasy and unsure about where he belongs; knowing that the ducks are able to resettle in the winter was reassuring for Holden’s sake.
-Julia Vazquez Alo
After reading my peer's responses, I agree with Noah that the way Holden wears his hat is a sign of rebelliousness. He wears it backwards as hunting hats were usually worn towards the front. The color red also is significant as it represents the violence of Holden's events, such as Allie's death and the fight with his roommate. Another way I could interpret his hunting hat is a sign of isolation, as stated before, he wears it backwards. I can also infer that the color red will serve as a reminder in Holden's life of negative events and will retain its significance throughout the novel. In response to the meaning of Holden's broken hand, I believe it represents the hardships he went through when he lost his brother Allie and it will leave a lasting effect on Holden mentally. His broken hand will signify how he felt about the situation at that time through his physicality, and it changed him forever as he can no longer form a proper fist.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to when Holden asks about the ducks, I also agree with my peers above that this is the youthful side of Holden. As stated in previous questions, Holden is transitioning from childhood to adulthood at the age of sixteen, which means he still has youthful qualities, for example, the questions he asked about the ducks. I also believe that Holden asked this question because the lake represents his family and the ducks represent him. Since he was kicked out of his prep school and he took the train to New York, I feel that Holden holds a common connection with the ducks as they migrate in the winter.
-Brian Arlantico
Holden's hat is a major symbol in The Catcher in the Rye. He wears the hat backwards even though it's corny, just because he likes its originality. The hat is also bright red just like his brother Allie's hair. Holden does mention that in a way it makes him feel more connected to his dead brother. This hat is not only symbolic of his character but also what he aspires to be. It gives him the confidence to talk to attractive girls, ask bold questions and even dance in public. The hat appears many times and brings out the rebellious side of Holden.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carlea that Holden's red hunting hat is a major symbol throughout the book that many may not notice because it is just a hat. The color of that hat being red is such a bold choice most hunting hats are for disguise whereas his hat stands out like him, since Holden is different than most teenagers. I especially like how Carlea noted that the hat was like his brother Allie's hair. It is a connection that could be really significant as to why he liked the hat so much.
DeleteIn agreeing with both these women, I think the hat represents Holden's rebel streak, to stand out despite wanting to be left alone. The purpose of the hat helps to signify an event linked to Holden's past. The hat helps to show that Holden is still naive and is still very submerged in his past. The hat is red, his late brother's hair was red, his blood is red, all these signify events in his past or events linked to his past.
DeleteHolden's broken hand signifies how he is crippled by his past, that he lost control when his brother died, and that that anger and sadness still remains very present in his life now.
-Isabella Wolf
I would like to further touch upon Sabrina's idea of Holden breaking away from the conformity of his times. Rather than wearing ones average hunting hat, one that is meant to camoflauge to their surroundings, Holden practically begs for attention when parading around with such a daring color. Further out in the novel, I recall Holden pointing out how if he were to disappear, then nobody would notice. The hat he wears during times in need of courage compliments this dreadful idea of invisibility by making it seem as if, on the outside, he is able to do whatever task is presented before him. Its' backwards nature furthers this claim.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to point out how all the primary colors mentioned throughout the text represent how Holden feels, red being courage, yellow being cowardly, and blue being somber. I observed, at the least, two components whenever facing tasks ahead of him, thus symbolizing how all of these colors, when mixed together, even, make up who Holden is and how he is able to approach complications in his life.
On a separate note, Holdens' inability to clench his fist following his tantrum due to the death of his brother certainly, as Brenden cleverly phrased it, symbolizes his failure to ever let go of Allies' death. However, I saw as if it embodies Holdens' inability to ever feel any more anger towards such a tragic incident, thus contributing a sense of acceptance.
I overwhelmingly agree with my peers' analyses of the meaning of Holden's red hunting hat, the color red, Holden's inability to form a fist, and Holden's inquiries about the ducks in Central Park. There are other symbols in the novel that have yet to be addressed, which is what I would like to begin to explore now.
ReplyDeleteOne of the passages that I found the most interesting in this novel is on page 121, when Holden describes his relationship with the Museum of Natural History. Holden mentions that the museum was "full of glass cases" and that in these cases, "everything always stayed right where it was". These musings, in my opinion, represent Holden's desire to recover the innocence of his youth. He craves for himself, and for those who have yet to lose their innocence- Allie, Phoebe- to be placed into these metaphorical glass cases, where nothing will ever change. Holden, it seems, is very intent on protecting the young and innocent from entering the phony adult world. He seemingly laments that, while the museum never changed, every time someone visited it, "[they'd] just be different, that's all". In fact, Holden remembers this- how different he and everybody else is every time they visit the unchanging exhibits- as he is about to enter the museum, and is so disturbed by this that he chooses to leave, claiming that "all of a sudden I wouldn't have gone inside for a million bucks".
The symbolism of the Museum of Natural History relates to Holden's red hunting hat, his questions about the ducks in Central Park, as well as symbols we have yet to discuss, such as Allie's baseball mitt and the carousel. All of these symbols deal with Holden's desires to, first, return to the simplicity of his youth, and, second, to protect the young from growing up and entering the world of phonies.
Holden's red hunting cap represents his individuality, just like many of my peers have already said. A bright red object is easy to see and can catch people's attention. Holden also wears it backwards, which is very common to see in rebellious characters and teens these days. This red color allows him to stand out among the crowd.
ReplyDeleteAs for the meaning of Holden's hand after Allie's death, I believe that it is both literally and figuratively the scar that Allie left after his death. He cared very much about his brother and now that trauma will probably remain for most of his life.
While most of my peers say that the ducks represent Holden's youthful side, I also believe that it represents how Holden himself doesn't exactly know what to do next with his life. Just like he doesn't know where the ducks are going, he doesn't know where he is going either. After being kicked out of his prep school, Holden will have to migrate somewhere else as well.
~Sofia Alduenda
I also believe the red hunting hat symbolizes his uniqueness and individuality among his society. Being bright red, it sets him off among the rest of them. I noticed Caulfield puts on his hat whenever a conflict arises around him knowing he needs a bit of help or some saving for himself. Along with what another peer of mine said about the hat suppose to camouflage with its surroundings, it being bright red makes him the center of attention. In regards to all the red in the story, I believe the author wants to get out the message how Caulfield is a naturally angry/unhappy person. Not only does Caulfield see almost everything around him in a negative light but he also talks about things from his past in a matter of him somewhat reminiscing certain things like Jane Ghallager or his brother Allie.
ReplyDeleteAs for what Holden's broken hand represents, I believe it stands for him not being able to cope with the passing of his brother and carrying the burden of it around with him. Caulfield having a broken hand stops him from certain situations that can turn into bigger things for example, when he was near to getting into a fist fight with Stradlater or with the crook who could've stolen his loves back at Pencey.
I never saw any symbolism with the ducks but after reading my peers comments on it, I also believe it represents his childhood trying to stay with him. Although I still think it has a little relevancy to the story only because it is brought up at the most random times of the story.
The color red is mentioned several times by Holden. I believe there is something about the color that comforts and calms him in hectic times. When he describes his siblings and their red hair, he describes it in a sort of peaceful way. They are always happy times that he describes. It also calms him when he looks at his bleeding nose in the mirror. It makes him look "tough". So the red hat makes him look tough while keeping him calm in times that he's alone for example when he's wandering around the city of Manhatten. However, he hints at a certain point in the book that the hat may be somewhat embarrassing to wear when he says, "I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on--I didn't give a damn how I looked."
ReplyDeleteAs for his fist, I think it symbolizes how he will always be hurt by the death of his brother Allie. His hand never healed correctly after he broke all the windows. This to me shows how he will never be emotionally healed after his brother's death like his hand will never heala the right way.
-Jaevante Valenciano
The red hunting cap is very unique to Holden. Like my classmates say the cap is representative of Holden himself, but I also think that the cap can represent his own alienation as the hat may seem very alien to other people. Likewise, he wears his hat backwards as an act of deviating from the mainstream and normality of society. Alienation is a recurring and important theme, and I think the red hunting cap serves as an effective symbol for that. I do think Holden is ahead of his time; he is the face of the 1950‘s rebellious teenager. Perhaps the way he carries himself throughout the novel, his actions, what he wears, and his dialogue are all ahead of his time.
ReplyDeleteThe color red in this novel I feel can represent innocence and the loss of innocence, as well. Holden’s late brother Allie had reddish hair, and I find Allie representative as a pure and innocent child who’s life was taken too soon. Allie’s red hair was made very memorable and prominent by Holden. Red also is symbolic of loss of innocence as seen when Holden gets into a bloody encounter with Stradlater. Maybe Holden’s cap is red to represent his transition from child to adult, and his coming to terms with his loss of an innocent view of the world. Maybe the red is representative of death because of Allie and the cap is made for people who hunt animals. But that’s pretty morbid.
I think that his broken hand is symbolic of the aftermath of his brother’s death. He can never fully close his hand because he never fully healed or coped with the loss of his brother. He is still struggling to deal with the pain and suffering of loss mentally, but physically it’s his hand that mirrors his inner conflict.
Likewise, in regards to several of comments above, I think the ducks are representative of Holden himself. He asks people where he thinks the ducks go when the lake is frozen, but maybe he is truly asking “Where do I go when the world has turned to poop?” Will the ducks be okay? Will I be okay? He wants validation and reassurance that he will turn out okay after the winter. He has no direction. He doesn’t know to help himself.
-Abegail Caraulia
The red hunting cap seems to be a symbol of Holden's individuality as stated by a majority of the other students' posts. In this idea, i see that it further invokes his character as an alienated teenager in his time as he displays his unique person in wearing a non-typical item in an off-trend fashion. The hat itself was definitely uncommon and accentuates differences in himself in contrast to that of the rest of society's norms. The whole red scheme seems to show a lot of loss or even the moments of defeat. Red comes up in times where Holden seems to be in a bad spot or rough time such as his losing Allie and getting beat up in several occasions.
ReplyDeleteThe broken hand appears to be a remnant of the Allie situation, obviously an aftermath of Allie's death. Holden goes on explaining how he broke a bunch of windows after his brother's death. The result is almost like a representation of how he has yet to recover from his loss.
The question about the ducks is, in my opinion, a very relatable question to Holden, other characters, and us students as well. Where will they go after time catches up to them, in this case the winter. In the same way, where will we go when time hits us, what will happen to us? He asks this question as we see him go through a rather tough time of being unsure where he will go and what will happen to him throughout the rest of his life.
-Andrew Son
Holden hunting cap is brought up throughout the novel several times. I believe it represents his originality in the sense of the way he is wearing it and how he loves the fact that he bought it at such a low price. When he wears is hat he feels safe in a way as if it was his only friend and how other students have said it's his way of coping. The color red throughout the story represents anger and blood. Many times throughout the story Holden has suffered of physical pain for example when Straddler hit him and when he got punched by the elevator man.
ReplyDeleteNot only does the color red represent violence but I also believe it represents innocence towards his childhood. His brothers hair was bright red and Holden really loved him which makes him sad thinking about his red hair. As other students have pointed that Holden remembers a red clothing item on Jane when they were younger that makes him happy. The broken fist represents how he still hasn’t let go of the idea of his loving brother being died especially at such a long age. Allie is brought up several time throughout the novel and Holden's tone shifts shifts when he speaks about him. We can tell that he loves Allie due to the way he described him in Stradlaters paper and the way he loves him through all the years.
I had originally thought about the ducks representing something in Holden's character when I first read this novel but I did not know what it was. After reading students responses I have evaluated that it is his childhood curiosity in asking several people where they go and what happens to them. Holden asked two taxi drivers, one of his teachers, and one of his old friends which shows he is really interested in knowing where they go. One student had said that the ducks relate to Holden in a way that he will survive winter by tolerating all his problems and people in his life his is also very accurate.
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ReplyDeleteI believe Holden's broken hand is related to that of his brother's baseball mitt. The baseball mitt resembled the promise of a bright future of Allie, it represented how he was a bright child since it held the poems he creatively wrote and how his future was guaranteed and protected like a glove. Seeing how such promise was easily erased by death, Caulfield began to feel no hope for himself, the child who was the least smartest in the family and that is when he became pessimistic and mentally unstable, fracturing his own, unprotected hand. One could see his defeated outlook of his future during his recollection of his deceased sibling: "My hand still hurts...that I don't care much. I mean I'm not going to be a goddam surgeon or a violinist anyway" (Salinger 44). The color red reminds Holden of Allie who he found to be the kindest and forgiving person he knew. With the knowledge of his brother being dead, Holden resorts to rage, violence, and recklessness seeing that there is no light left in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe first symbol used in this classic novel is Holden's red hunting hat. I would like to emphasize that the hat is red because although it may portray violence, blood and anger, it is clear in Holden's case that it shows how he is exclusive and unique. Despite that Holden states that he does not care about his outside appearance, he wears his red hunting hat as a cry for help when he feels down, alone and unstable. In my opinion, I believe that Holden has a mindset that he has no one to go to that will understand his situations and his mental issues.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, Holden's broken hand symbolizes his misery and depression after the death of his younger brother named Allie. I agree with Ryan Cayabyab that his inability to fully make a fist ever since he punched windows also shows he would not be able to fully accept that Allie is not with him anymore. Holden will forever be in grief and become furious over the loss of his younger brother because Allie was a significant person in his life.
As I read Holden's curiousity about where the ducks go during Winter, I was confused on what the message was supposed to be. However after I analyzed my peer's past comments, I realized that maybe Holden used the ducks to symbolize himself. The ducks need to survive during winter the way Holden struggles to handle all his problems and negativity.
-Camryn Ferrer
starting with Holden's broken hand, i think it symbolizes how he was broken after his brother died. When something traumatic happens in your life, most of the time you end up broken, and that is how Holden's hand ended up. the fact that he can no longer hold a fist anymore symbolizes how he is no longer whole without him. He mentions they were very close before his death, so obviously without his brother, Holden is no longer the same.
ReplyDeletei am not sure what the ducks in the novel symbolize. i wondered what he meant by it, or why he would even ask that question (it is silly). reading my classmates comments, i realized maybe Holden does compare himself to the ducks and how they move around. The ducks migrate to escape the cold in the winter. Holden does the same, except he moves around to escape his problems at school and with his family as well as his own pessimism.
Holden's red hunting hat i think represents his individuality as well as his vulnerability. He wears it because he likes it, and it is different, but when out on public, he takes it off. "I took my old hunting hat out […] and put it on. I knew I wouldn't meet anybody that knew me" (Chapter sixteen). So while claiming to be so confident in himself and not caring what others thought of him, through his red hunting hat he demonstrates his vulnerable side.
Like my peers have said, Holden’s red hat represents his uniqueness and individuality. It has big ear flaps, an elongated beak, and some may say it just looks weird. This quality also appears in Holden’s brother Allie. He had this baseball mitt with poems written in it, not many kids would write poems in their free time. This tells me that Holden has a particular love for things and people that are genuinely one of a kind. As for the color red, I agree with Jaevante that this color represents a sort of happiness for Holden. He likes his red hat, his red-haired brother was a pleasure to be around, and he liked how he looked with a bloody nose. The color is bittersweet, the red things he likes have a bad story tied to it.
ReplyDeleteHolden’s broken hand symbolizes his defeated spirit. For instance, when Allie was alive, Holden could make a strong fist, representative of his lively personality. Now that Allie is dead, Holden seems more melancholy, his strong spirit was broken along with his hand. The long term effect—his spirit and his hand are permanently damaged, unable to return to the condition it once was.
-Ahren Aguinaldo
I agree with Anna that Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol of individuality and his uniqueness in this novel. The red hunting hat could also represent his attachment to his bother, Allie who had red hair because Holden had a loving relationship with Allie, who passed away years ago. As Mr. Rodriguez mentions that the color red portrays violence and anger yet Holden doesn't express that at all before he puts on his hat. He expresses depression and loneliness. He puts on his hat as a cry of help, mentioned by my peers. In my opinion, his cry of help is towards Allie due to how he talks to him when he's very depressed and lonesome.
ReplyDeleteHolden's broken hand represents how broken he has been since his brother, Allie passed away. After Allie passed away, Holden has an unstable mentality such as how one scene, he's depressed and in another scene, he's in high spirits, which signifies him being broken. It's long term effect of not being able to form a fist symbolizes him not being able to be fully happy with himself and his surroundings.
In my opinion, the ducks that Holden constantly questions about symbolizes his wonderings about where did Allie's soul take off after his death. It is mentioned in the novel that Holden is an atheist and does not fully believe in God even if he and his family are Catholic. His thoughts on ducks and Allie are persistent throughout the novel.
-Mikayla Abille
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ReplyDeleteIn response to Mr. Rodriguez’s first question, I think that the red hunting hat symbolizes how different he is from his peers. In the previous post, we were exposed to the preppy style that surrounds Holden in Pencey. First of all, the hat is a hunting hat. I’m sure that Holden is not interested in hunting but, it represents how unique his character is in the story. This hat is his form of rebelling against the other students at Pencey and against those people who have expectations from him. In response to the color red, I believe that it symbolizes many things. First, I think that it is in reference of his brother Allie and his hair. More importantly, I think that it symbolizes anger. If there was one words to describe Holden, it would be anger. He shows anger towards most situations in his life. I think that it also represents his rebellious attitude as a teenager in the 50’s. Lastly, I think that the ducks represent a way for Holden to stay sane. The ducks make him understand that they may leave for a while, but they will always come back. This fits into Holden’s life in that change is only temporary.
ReplyDelete-Daniela Navarro
To me, as I read the novel, it has given me the impression that Holden's red hunting hat is very important to him because not only does it remind him of his brother, Allie, but it also allows him to show his unique and different personality that made him such an iconic literary character. I think it gave him a way to gain confidence and show his rebellious side to the world, "I took my red hunting hat (...) and put it on—I didn't give a damn how I looked" (chapter 13) it was his way of standing out in a sea of people in New York City, red is a vivid color that is hard to miss and although it can represent a lot of negative or violent things, like Mr. Rodriguez mentioned, I just think that it is his way of being close to his siblings and his own personality even when he is away.
ReplyDeleteAbout Holden's broken hand I feel that he was mad and in complete shock, when Allie died it broke his heart, and I think that the broken hand represents that, also when he mentions that he can barely form a fist now it shows that he will never recover from the emotional damage that his brother's death caused him. The question that Holden made about the ducks showed a side of him that I hadn't noticed before when I started reading the novel, he was running away from his problems, he was avoiding his parents, and trying to manage to survive in a big city without being certain of what he was to do next for a long time, I think this part of the book reminds us that he is a lost, curious teenager at this time and I think that he's looking for something that will help guide him through his problems.
-Elisa Gonzalez
The hat is a display of Holden’s attempt to be unique from those around him. He prefers to wear the hat backwards as a badge of his nonconformity and his rebellion against the rest of society. Despite how radical the hat may be among the other attire of New Yorkers in the 1950's, Holden often reminds himself that he will not be seeing anyone he knows when he wears it in public. Holden says, contradicting his earlier statement, that he liked wearing it backwards because he “looked good in it that way” (Salinger 18). While he may not want to care about his appearance, he cannot help but to see how he looks in the hat. This contradiction between Holden’s claims and actions amplify his immaturity. Holden resists his own development towards maturity and wishes for others to do the same.In addition, both of Holden’s siblings, Allie and Phoebe, have red hair. By wearing the red hunting hat on his own head, he is identifying with his younger siblings and the innocence that they represent. Now-a-days, the orientation of the hat draws a parallel to rappers and teenagers, but in the 1950's, baseball players wore their hats backward (It should also be noted that Allie had played baseball prior to his death). This connects Holden to his dream of catching children from falling into adulthood.
ReplyDeleteThe color red has an essential role as it represents the violence and hurt Holden has been subjected to. Holden's hand symbolizes his everlasting brokenness from the loss of his brother. He explains that he could not see his brother after his passing because he needed treatment for his hand. This leads me to believe that Holden never received closure as is constantly reminded of it whenever he tries to makes a fist. Lastly, Holden's fascination with the ducks stems from relation to them. Just as the ducks have to migrate in winter, Holden migrates from school to school as he flunks out. It represents a constant world of motion that Holden feels trapped in.
-Sarah Schumacher
Like what most of my peers said, I think Holden's red hunting hat symbolizes Holden's rebellious and violent nature. To me, the color red always shows bloodiness and the violent fight that occurred between Stradlater and Holden represents this hat. The purpose of the hat also shows that Holden was leaving Pencey all set with his bags packed up and while at the corridor he said "I was sort of crying. I don't know why" (p. 59). Holden's resentful mood was in himself as he was putting on the hat and he turned the peak around because this was the style he liked. The way Holden puts on the hat backwards reminds me of how most teenagers wear a "snapback" hat backwards in the current time period. Also like my peers mentioned the red might have also symbolized Holden's siblings Allie and Phoebe because of their red hair colors. His siblings' youth describe himself in an immature setting. Red gives a negative vibe towards the readers so the hat suits Holden's current situation as in he cannot resist a bloody fight and he will not let go of his past.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks are also a symbolism to the story because as soon as Holden gets into a cab from Penn Station in Chapter 9 he asks his driver about where the ducks go as the lagoon freezes and realized that there is "only one chance in a million" (p. 67). The ducks represent the inner character about Holden as he struggles to be at one place in his life and goes somewhere else. Depending on his situation, Holden has mixed feelings about his brother D.B and his career about him being a writer, also he does not know how to feel about his peers Ackley and Stradlater. I also agree with Sarah that as the book mentions about the ducks migrating from winter, Holden quits to stay put at school and goes on "vacation." Holden is at an identity crisis and constantly questions himself in the world as a teenager and he never opens up at how he feels in a situation.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is clear that based on what my peers have stated before me, the red hunting hat represents Holden's distinctiveness and individuality. He even confesses it by saying "The way I wore it, I swung the old peak way around to the back - very corny, I'll admit, but I liked it that way" (Salinger 24). Even though he enjoys wearing his red hunting hat, he doesn't wear it in front of everyone. Holden says that he doesn't wear it if he is with a lot of people that he knows showing his insecurity and self-consciousness. I believe that Holden is ahead of his time because during the time period in which the novel is set, people don't commonly wear hunting hats casually, especially not hats with bold colors such as red.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the color of the hat, the color red seems to have a deep meaning since it comes up frequently. When I think of the color red, I think of what Mr. Rodriguez described it to portray; violence, blood and anger. This can be shown in the story when Holden gets into an altercation with Stradlater, and is beat up pretty badly with blood running down from his nose. Red is also the color of Holden's siblings, Allie and Phoebe's hair. When Allie died from Leukemia, Holden broke his hand from punching windows out of anger. He says that he cannot fully form a fist now, which I agree with Brenden that it signifies Holden’s inability to grasp and fully accept his brother’s death.
In the winter, the ducks in central park migrate to warmer areas since the warmth is a more hospitable environment for them. Holden's question of where the ducks go in the winter may be a silly question to us, but it is a valid question for Holden. He is trying to find an environment in which he fits in and not feel so lost. However, Holden despises change and mysterious disappearances because he is traumatized by his brother's death. I believe this holds him back from finding an environment that he can find success and happiness in.
-Shalin Nirmal
When I first began reading the book, Holden’s red hunting hat did call to my attention primarily because he mentioned how he went to a prep school, and from my prior knowledge I knew that bold hunting hats weren’t really in style for prep boys. I have to agree with most of my peers when they say that the hat symbolizes his individuality and uniqueness. As previously mentioned, Holden isn’t a regular teenager, rather like most kids nowadays; he likes to stand out amongst the crowd. This leads me to my second point; I would like to address Mr. Rodriguez’s question about Holden being ahead of time. A lot of teenagers today believe that they were born in the wrong generations and they wish they lived through the 70s, 80s or maybe even 90s. Personally, I think this is the case with Holden; he was born in the “wrong” era. I truly believe that if Holden were to be a teenager in today’s society, he would be completely normal.
ReplyDeleteWhen Holden talked about breaking his hand the night of his brother, Allie’s death, I didn’t really pay attention to the fact that he could no longer fully do a fist with his hand. However, after carefully reading the passage again and reading what my peers had to say, I have to agree with them. However, I thought Negin’s idea was the most interesting. Holden’s life changed completely after his brother’s death, and there will always be a whole in his and his family’s life. However, the physical representation of that whole, I believe, would be the damage left on Holden’s hand. Not being able to create a fist symbolizes his family not being able to be the same, not being able to unite and bond because Allie is gone and he was a major part of their life.
When I first started to read chapter nine, I thought it was silly how Holden was so concerned with the ducks. I thought this was part of his awkwardness, however after fully analyzing these lines, I came to the conclusion that his interest in the ducks could represent him worrying about his future. Holden didn’t really know what he was going to do next so he was worried about himself, but played it off by worrying about something more childish as the ducks.
In all honesty, I did not think too much about the importance of the red hunting hat. However, after re-reading that scene as well as reading my peers' entries, I understood its overall importance to the book. As we all know, Holden is a teenager who seeks for individuality and non-conformity. By wearing this hat, Holden is able to express himself in a way that is unlike any other, and he continues to demonstrate his uniqueness by wearing the red hunting hat. In agreement with Noah Pasimio, I believe that Holden also "associates the color with fond memories of people from his childhood", as well as innocence.
ReplyDeleteMy peers have also noted that Holden seems to wear this hat whenever he is alone or feeling lonely and isolated. Later on in the book, Holden reveals that he offered to give away his red hunting hat to his sister, Phoebe, in chapter 23. This action surprised me because as a reader, I am clearly aware of Holden's fondness for the hat. Why would Holden give an item away that holds so much sentimental value to him? The only answer that comes to my mind is that Holden realized he truly isn't lonely because his sister had always been there for him all along, he just was not aware of it. After spending time with his sister, it might have ignited his appreciation for her in him, resulting in his sacrifice of the hat.
When Holden first asked about the ducks, I questioned his sanity and immediately labeled him as a "weird" person; I was very confused as to why he was so curious about the ducks. As I read other entries and analyzed this scene more, I was able to understand that Holden was probably interested in the ducks essentially because he can relate to them, in a way. Since Holden was returning home, he wondered when the ducks will also be returning home.
-Catalina Isip
I agree with my peers on how the red hat is used to represent Holden's uniqueness in the world. Especially compared being "preppy" a red hat is way out of line in terms of trying to be preppy. I believe the red hat represents his rebellious nature and how he does not want to follow society. For example, he does not attend the football game with the crowd, instead watches it briefly, then leaves, he does not enjoy motion pictures or plays as most people do, and he judges many actors and famous people. Now as for the color red, I also agree that it symbolizes something negative. Although Allie was a nice person, he still passed away of Leukemia, which is a blood disease and blood is normally connoted with red. The blood from Holden's nose after the fight was represented negativily. As well as the blood from when James Castle commited suicide. Overall I believe the color red is meant to represent something negative in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI believe Holden's broken hand represents his not letting go of his brother's death. As I have stated in one of blog posts, I felt Allie's death was the major turning point in Holden's life that led him to an alienated feeling and being so negative. I believe the broken hand can represent the effects of the turning point in Holden's life and how a unfixable injury as that(representing the brothers death) will stick with him in the remainder of his life. As Catalina stated she was suprised when Holden gave his hat to Phoebe, I was also suprised when he gave the hat to her. But I agree with Catalina that Holden giving away his hat symbolized him not feeling lonely anymore as he talks to Phoebe and realizes she is always there to support him.
-Sergio Renteria
I strongly agree with my peers with that the red hunting hat is a symbol of individuality and uniqueness, but I also believe that the hat represents vulnerability. The hat comes up in significant parts of the book such as writing an essay for Stradlater about his brother mitt and parts where he feels vulnerable. He constantly claims that he'll wear the hat however he wants because he does not care about how he looks and what other people think of him but Holden usually makes sure no one is around to wear the hat, which is contradicting. Holden states that "I took my old hunting hat out […] and put it on. I knew I wouldn't meet anybody that knew me", in chapter sixteen. He seems embarrassed to wear it in public with people around, like taking it off when he goes into bars, and onto the train and things like that. This hat also resembles security and possibly reassurance as well. This is evident when he bought the hat and wore it for the first time after being upset about the fencing team losing. In the end, Holden ends up giving his little sister Phoebe, his hunting hat. This shows that he is letting go of his innocence or childhood. Which is what i also believe the hat symbolizes.
ReplyDelete-Maya Ruane
Holden’s hat plays an important role in some instances which appears to me as sort of a confidence boost. Only in important occasions Holden puts on the hat, but mainly at times when he is alone. The idea that his hat is a “people shooting hat” is also extraordinary. I have seem to understand that when Holden places the hat on his head, in a specific way, backwards, Holden utilizes this as a way to stand out and be his own person. It had appeared to me that Holden had put on his hat in certain instances such as after taking a hit by Stradlater, he placed his hat on backwards and glared upon himself in the mirror, to appear to be tough and his own unique person. At first Holden had purchased this hat the day he left the sports equipment in the subway, a horrible mistake of which he seemed to shrug away by purchasing this hat. This hat had become a part of him, a source of a confidence boost, a way for Holden to be himself, it had become part of his unique character. The extraordinary idea of the hat being a “people shooting hat” in my interpretation is that he is seeking, or hunting, for a person to spend time with, someone to accept who he is, someone to fill in the sadness and bring happiness to his life as he is constantly stating and describing his depression. Throughout the novel, Holden had seeked for a person to spend quality time with, but his own disastrous negative mindset had ruined each occasion, thus increasing his depression and vulnerability to isolation and eternal sadness. I believe that this hat also serves as a reminder in his life as he constantly faces situations that result in neglection, in that he is still himself although he faces these tragic occurrences in his life.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the color red and his impulsive action of breaking his hand due to his younger brother Allie’s death, I believe that he was full of anger and his way of expressing himself after his brother’s death was through breaking the glass to exert his anger. As stated by Mr.Rodriguez, the color red is understood to represent things such as anger, violence, or blood. The inability of Holden to form to form a full fist also coincides with his inability to stand up for himself, there were a few occasions of which Holden had thought of choosing an irrational action and result in violence but he didn’t, he couldn’t which contrasts to his violent action of breaking the windows. I feel at the time when he broke his hand, he was coping with his brother’s death and channeled his anger through his fist, resulting in violence. But since his hand broke and he was unable to form a full fist, he was no longer able to result in violence when he was angry. Thus, anger has built up inside of him throughout the years, causing misbehavior and the inability to mature. This may also deal with Holden’s actions in flunking schools and getting kicked out.
I would also like to point out that both his younger siblings, Allie and Phoebe, have both red hair. His hair may also be red but he has several gray hairs. Obtaining a red hat may also connect to the fact that both his younger siblings, who he has evidently idolized in their wisdom and abilities, both have red hair and he may have originally have had red hair. This may evoke the idea that since he is constantly failing he may be place a red hat on himself to be similar or close to either of his siblings. Since he is lonely, he may be using the red hat to somewhat connect to his siblings on his own mental level as they have red hair and he is wearing a red hat. All hypotheses and observances I had made through the reading of this novel.
-Rendell Miguel
The hat Holden has is a symbol of individuality because this wasn't a hat that any normal teenager would get which made him different. In chapter 3, Holden is talking to Ackley and he said that the hat is his "shooting" people hat which makes his desire to be independent known. Also when he says this, it makes him sound bitter towards the world. Holden does not really shoot people, but rather he brings them down whenever they say something he considers to be "phony" Holden does not like the world he lives in so he "shoots" people in his fantasy world. I believe the color red symbolizes anger and hatred and to make him stand out, when Holden talks about his brother, Allie having red hair he said that he was the kindest soul, even though he had red hair because he should have been mean since that's the stereotypical view on gingers. Also, the hat and color may show that he is ahead of time since he is the first real literary teenager. I think he brings up the ducks because he relates to them in a way of feeling isolated and he may be curious on how they live in a world that does not change they are just paused in time until the winter is over and he probably wishes he can live in that world, since he does not like change. This also shows the child in him, and the innocence in him.
ReplyDelete- Briana Rios
While reading The Catcher in the Rye, significant items as well as events throughout the novel such as the aftermath of Allie’s passing, the travel of baby ducks, and Holden’s red hunting cap, caught my attention right away. Regarding Holden’s inability to form a fist after hurting himself, this to me was a constant reminder for Holden of Allie’s death and how it would be a part of him forever. His ability to be tough and defend himself is crippled by his emotional and physical vulnerability (his sadness and long-lasting injury, respectively). As stated by Brendan Gregorio, although Holden has come to terms with his younger brother’s death, he hasn’t fully healed, and will be forever reminded of his brother by his hand.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, in chapter two, Holden speculates,“I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go. I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away.” (pg. 16, par. 1) Thus begins his concern over the baby ducks in the lake. To me, Holden was sincerely curious and concerned about the future of these ducks. It was obvious that the question of where they went held the utmost significance to him, and even asked some of those whom he encountered for an answer to his question. From this, I concluded that the baby ducks may have represented Holden himself. Throughout the novel, Holden asks where they go, and no one can give him a satisfactory answer. Perhaps Holden recognizes that he himself has a sort of impermanence, as he drifts from school to school and location to location without any significant attachment to the places he’s been. In this way, Holden may be looking for a stable, definite place to come back to, just as the ducks will eventually come back to the lake.
When Holden first mentioned his hunting cap, I saw it as a unique way for Holden to set himself apart from the crowd. He wears this hat when he wants to be brave. As stated by Briana Rios, the red color of Holden’s cap could be reminiscent of his late brother Allie’s mop of red hair. Evidently, Holden values this hat and only wears it in specific times. At the end of the novel, Holden thinks about leaving home for good. The one person whom he loves the most, his little sister Phoebe, is the recipient of his hat. (She herself has red hair, which may partially explain Holden’s affection for her). This led me to believe that perhaps Holden realizes she needs the hat as a symbol of their brother, since the rest of her brothers would no longer be there for her.
- Zuri Smith
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ReplyDeleteThe red hunting hat is very important for Holden. The color of the hat is red, which is said to be an emotionally intense color filled with desire. For Holden this desire is to be alone in the world and it gives him a sense of solidarity because he becomes unique and strange. It also represents a his longing and attachment to being a child because it is a hat that most adults in New York City would not wear. Holden says, "my hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection... but i got soaked anyways." Therefore the hat acts as a form of alienation for Holden, which is why he wears it mostly when he gets lonely.
ReplyDeleteThe for color red seems to be associated with children throughout the novel. For example when he describes Allie's red hair and when he mention his sisters Phoebe's red hair. These two characters are the ones that Holden seems to like the most because he does not point out any bad qualities in them. Red also represented both innocence and maturity when the red crayon graffiti was on the tomb. The message conveyed was mature, but crayon color was red which is often associated with children. Holden thought that possibly the child that wrote it didn't know the meaning.
The fact that Holden can't make a fist after breaking the glass windows in the garage represents that Allie's death has had a long term effect. He reveals that this death could possibly be the reason for Holden's character because he is now afraid of life and growing up after experiencing that life can be cruel because his brother died when he was a child.
For the ducks in the pond, I believe that he relates himself to the ducks because they are a symbol that one must adapt to the environment like they do during season changes. Holden wishes that the ducks could just stay there like he wishes things could sty the same and he did not have to grow up. Yet he finds hope in the way that the ducks come back after each season even if they leave for a while.
- Brenda Arenas
The red hunting hat is a unique piece of clothing, which represents Holden's uniqueness and individuality. It shows that Holden is not like the other characters in the book. While reading, I have noticed that Holden only wears the hunting hat whenever he is lonely. This can be seen as Holden's shield or some type of protection. I believe that Holden got a hunting hat and wears it backwards to show that he wants to be different from everyone else.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I think of the color red, I think of blood, power, or love. It is evident that the color red represents blood when he and Stradlater get into a fight and ended up bleeding. On the other hand, I agree with most of my peers that Holden connects the color with people from his childhood such as his siblings, Allie and Phoebe. I believe that he connects the color red with his siblings because he admires them and is always speaking highly of them, which can also symbolize his love for them.
The meaning of Holden's broken hand is a reminder of the death of his brother. Because of that incident, he can barely form a fist, which will always remind him of what happened. The broken hand and its long term effect may symbolize Holden being broken.
As for the ducks in the lake in Central Park, I believe that it symbolizes Holden himself. I think it symbolizes him because he is always asking where the ducks go during the winter the same way he is wondering where he is going to go in life.
-Janessa Pujeda
When I first encountered the red hunting hat, I didn’t think much of it but little by little I began to think that it represented being different and having your own identity. I think that the purpose of the hat in the novel is to show that Holden is different and that he himself knows it, and takes pride in not being your average preppy phony teenager of the time. He enjoys being different and wants to show the world that he is and that is why he always enjoys wearing it and showing it off. I think it says a lot about Holden, especially that he doesn’t care for the social norms of the time and doesn’t care if he might look ridiculous, because he himself knows that he is being himself and not conforming to the way society wants to see him. I also think that when people see him in the red hat they see him as different and in a way some appreciate it and that’s why they ask so many questions about, or maybe they ask so many questions about it because they might find it odd. He doesn’t wear it all the time but in my eyes I think he wears it during time where he wants to show his individuality and not forgot who he really is. I think that the author chooses for it to be a hunting hat for Holden to seem tough and strong, and I think he choose red because red is a bold color, and Holden is a bold boy in a sea of average preppy teenagers. I do believe that Holden is ahead of his time in a sense that he is drifting away from the average preppy look and is choosing to look a little different and be unique.
ReplyDelete-Camila Lautz
Like I stated in my previous blog entry, the red hunting hat that Holden wears is making a statement, it is saying that he does not belong in the prep like type of atmosphere. While his peers are wearing the most expensive polo's and khaki pants, Holden does not really care about his clothing and wears things like his red "human hunting' hat. Now after Mr. Rodriguez revealed what the color red symbolizes (violence, blood, or anger), it is quite obvious why Holden would wear a red hat. The boy is going through a tough time being kicked out of 3 prep schools and losing his brother Allie at such a young age. He's angry at all the phonies that surround him and at the fact that his brother is no longer with him. That's why the author shows us so much blood and the color red, to let the audience know that Holden is a troubled boy, his past has not been bright.
ReplyDeleteWhat's symbolic about Holden's broken hand and why he can no longer make a fist is that, he's angry at Allie's death and feel's some sort of guilt for his brother's passing. The ducks at central park are symbolic because they help Holden make key decisions. The ducks are used as a symbol throughout the book to help Holden find his path towards maturity. For example, Holden questions what happens to the ducks when the pond they live in freezes. He wonders whether the zoo intervenes and takes care of them or if they fly away and fend for themselves. This connects to the current situation Holden himself faces, he does not know whether he should return to his parents or learn to live on his own. Every time a these ducks appear in the novel, he revisits these thoughts.
-Roberto Sevilla
I am also in agreement with my peers, the color red symbolizes boldness, and hardship, which Holden has experienced. The blood, the trauma, and the memories Holden recalls, can be symbolized all at once when he is wearing the red hat. He also seems to mention that he doesn't care about what other people think of him wearing the hat, which reveals the rebellious and non-conforming side of Holden. The hat can also be seen as a safety item to protect him from any conflicting standpoints. While other individuals find it difficult to be the one standing out, Holden is bold enough to embrace his individuality, and his point of view.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the repetition of Holden's question on whether the ducks move away during winter or if they remain in the frozen water, I believe Holden Is attempting to see through other people's point of view. Holden is always critical and assumes certain conclusions, therefore this is an attempt to see what others think of the scenario. Perhaps he is also just curious to see if people will take him seriously when it comes to asking questions that are out of the ordinary.
-Cassandra Hernandez
Author J.D Salinger experienced a lot after he was drafted into the Army in 1942, and he certainly displayed classic symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In writing his novel The Catcher in the Rye, he utilized one of the most famous forms of symbolism--the red hunting hat-- to not only reference the story itself, but also his visuals of the war. The color red as mentioned is generally a color that expresses violence, blood, and or anger. He purposefully chooses this color to both tie in events in the story as well as his personal events as an author. After coming home from a horribly destructive war; seeing combat and concentration camps, Salinger lost his innocence. And in war and elsewhere, Salinger often saw and sometimes was a victim of the “phony adult world” that prays on the weak and frightened. This is relevant to the hunting hat because Holden used it as a form of protection. “My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection in a way. What I did was I pulled the old peak of my hunting hat around to the front, then pulled it way down over my eyes. That way I couldn’t see a goddam thing.”Holden blindfolded himself from things he did not want to see nor take part in.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the red hunting hat represents Holden’s individuality yet a very important piece of clothing that allows him to connect back to his innocence. Holden is a person who speaks his mind and runs through his own rules, yet he still considers how others view him. He repeatedly mentions when he wears the hat, and he often does not wear it when he is accompanied by people he knows. Therefore, reflecting Holden’s need for isolation versus his need for companionship. Holden also separates himself from the general public when he phrases things like, “people always think something’s all true” or “people never notice anything,” that show his desire to be different from everyone around him. In response he was intrigued by the hunting hat, something that was both different and uncommon.
Like the hunting hat, Allie and Phoebe’s hair are red. When Holden describes both his brother Allie and his sister Phoebe, he does it in a way that expresses innocence and purity which he associates with the red hunting hat. In doing so he allows himself the key to reconnecting not only with them but with the traits listed. The hat provides a certain escape hole to his innocence.
As for the ducks in the lake at Central Park I believe the ducks represent Holden, the change in seasons represents the changes from child life to adult life, and as for the pond, the unfrozen and frozen parts represent exactly where holden finds himself; no longer a boy but not yet a man. Referring back to his question: where do the ducks go in the winter is really trying to say where do I go when i become an adult, what will happen to me. This simply outlines Holden’s current uncertainty as to where he stands.
Finally, the damage done to his hand from breaking the windows is to prove how Holden had no one to share his feelings with and instead broke all the windows to release his anger and pain of his brothers death. In doing so he is now unable to make a fist without physical pain which gave him a constant reminder of not only his outrage but the immense loss of his brother.
-Gisselle Gonzalez
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ReplyDeleteAs my peers stated, I agree the red hunting hat represents Holden as a unique and different person. Also, the way he wears it shows his rebellious style. For example, a hunting hat is not the type of hat anyone wears backwards but Holden casually wears it that way. In addition, Holden is insecure of himself because there are times where the way he wore his hat was based on who was in his surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThe color red can represent anger and violence, which could be how Holden feels. However, I see the color of the hat only adds character to Holden, which makes him stand out compared to his fellow teenagers.
I believe Holden broken his hand out of anger due to the death of his brother. He probably punched the window because he could not believe the fact that his brother was gone. The long term effect of his broken hand symbolizes his brother. He can always look at it and think about how that was caused by his anger and frustration when his brother died.
Holden is curious about the ducks in the lake in Central Park because he is comparing them to himself. He wonders where the ducks will go in the winter, and what they will do after they migrate. He questions that because he too is heading home for the winter, and he does not know what to expect when he arrives.
- Janelle Douglas
As others have stated before me, I too believe that Holden's red hunting hat resembles his unique individuality. This is shown by the fact that he wore his hat backwards and from what I know, people from that day and were looked down upon for doing such a style with their hat. I also believe that he wore it just for the fact that he liked the way he looked in it, and througout the text he looks at himself quite frequently and likes it when he looks good.
ReplyDeleteThe color red that appears throughout the story does indeed resemble anger and violence, which could also closely resemble the way Holden really is. This color makes Holden an even more interesting character condiering it has a deeper meaning then just a color.
Holden's broken hand that now can't be brought to a fist resembles the scars internally that cannot be healed because it meant that much to him. I believe that that one thing was his brother because he meant so much to him and he continues to think about him, like how his hand won't heal.
The ducks in the pond resemble Holden's idea of moving somewhere. That's why he is so concerned of where they go during the winter. At first glance this question may seem silly but as the story progresses it will become much more clear.
I agree that there are many symbols in the novel, especially with the color red. I think that the color red symbolizes something that is damaged or injured. For example, he the red blood was a result of Holden getting punched in the face. As for the hat, I think it foreshadows the fact that he is somewhat mentally unstable. As mentioned by Mr. Rodriguez, Holden is writing from a mental institute, so I assume that the color red symbolizes his 'damaged' or abnormal mind.
ReplyDeleteAs to why he wears it differently, I think that it just shows Holden's teenage spirit and him excluding himself from other people's judgement. Holden has somewhat of a care-free attitude when it comes to his hat. For example, when he ran away from Pencey Prep, he wore his hate backwards, saying he didn't care.
Also, I think that Holden's broken hand due to him punching the garage windows, shows his inability to control himself. He mentions that he doesn't know why he did it, but he just felt like it. It really emphasizes that he is a teenager because he is still in between a child and an adult. Also, I think the broken hand is a constant reminder of his brother who died of leukemia.
Finally, I think Holden wonders about the ducks because he is unintentionally asking himself. He doesn't know what the future holds and is concerned.
-Jered Relopez
I think Holden wear a red hat as a way of rebellion. He knows he is different from the rest of the people and he is trying to show it that way.
ReplyDeleteHe identifies the ducks as himself. They go away and he wants to know what they do and where they go. That is kind of the situation he was in because he went back home but he did not know what he was going to do next.
Finally, the broken hand not healing completely simbolizes how he still had not recovered fully from his brother death.
I agree with Giselle Gonzalez, that the use of the color red, which symbolizes anger, blood and violence, connects with the story as well as the author himself. Just as she stated, the author J.D Salinger is an ex-serviceman and experienced war first hand. In part of this, Salinger shows to include a lot of his own personal feelings and ideas on the world in the book itself. After experiencing such a horrible war, Salinger lost who he used to be and changed his views on the world. I also agree with Giselle when she states that Holden's hunting hat symbolizes protection, protection from the phony world.
ReplyDeleteAs for the connection between Phoebe and Allie's hair, red like the hunting hat, I believe it is a way to feel just like them. Not for the reason of pretending he has red hair, but that a hunting hat resembles toughness because it is typically a "shooting hat". So I think that he wears it to maybe feel a sense of toughness as he wants himself to be as well as how he see's his siblings Phoebe and Allie.
Additionally, Holden's broken hand was due to an unforgettable event, his own brother's death, which in my last paragraph states that he looked up to his brother Allie. I think the significance of this is that there will always be a physical mark left on him for Holden to always look back on. When people get angry, they tend to make their hands into a fist. In this case, Holden being someone who seems to remember a lot anyways, anytime he gets angry and makes a fist he will always be reminded of that day. The day he found out about a brother he looked up to, dying. Also, being someone who is already growing more and more depressed and gets mad at everything, you can see that he gets this constant reminder and it can really take a big toll out of it.
Lastly, I say that his questioning about where the ducks in the lake go, resembles himself, even if he isn't quite aware of that himself. I think that the question of where do they go in the winter really means what is going to happen to him. That if finds out the ducks go somewhere better and safe for the winter, it would give him reassurance about where his life is going as he is getting older.
-Mariah Brown
I agree with Giselle Gonzalez, that the use of the color red, which symbolizes anger, blood and violence, connects with the story as well as the author himself. Just as she stated, the author J.D Salinger is an ex-serviceman and experienced war first hand. In part of this, Salinger shows to include a lot of his own personal feelings and ideas on the world in the book itself. After experiencing such a horrible war, Salinger lost who he used to be and changed his views on the world. I also agree with Giselle when she states that Holden's hunting hat symbolizes protection, protection from the phony world.
ReplyDeleteAs for the connection between Phoebe and Allie's hair, red like the hunting hat, I believe it is a way to feel just like them. Not for the reason of pretending he has red hair, but that a hunting hat resembles toughness because it is typically a "shooting hat". So I think that he wears it to maybe feel a sense of toughness as he wants himself to be as well as how he see's his siblings Phoebe and Allie.
Additionally, Holden's broken hand was due to an unforgettable event, his own brother's death, which in my last paragraph states that he looked up to his brother Allie. I think the significance of this is that there will always be a physical mark left on him for Holden to always look back on. When people get angry, they tend to make their hands into a fist. In this case, Holden being someone who seems to remember a lot anyways, anytime he gets angry and makes a fist he will always be reminded of that day. The day he found out about a brother he looked up to, dying. Also, being someone who is already growing more and more depressed and gets mad at everything, you can see that he gets this constant reminder and it can really take a big toll out of it.
Lastly, I say that his questioning about where the ducks in the lake go, resembles himself, even if he isn't quite aware of that himself. I think that the question of where do they go in the winter really means what is going to happen to him. That if finds out the ducks go somewhere better and safe for the winter, it would give him reassurance about where his life is going as he is getting older.
-Mariah Brown
In terms of symbols, the color red is a very major factor in many parts of this novel. When I think of the color red, I immediately think of blood, conflict, and misfortunes. The color red appears many times in the book as stated above, to respond to the symbols mentioned in the post, I believe that the color red has a deeper meaning than just blood, violence, and anger. When I think about it, why would a hunting cap be red? Red is too bright of a color to go out hunting with. A red hunting hat would simply give a large warning sign to anything you plan to hunt. I think the reason that the red hunting hat is a huge symbol in this novel is that the hat really symbolizes his individuality and his indifference to the fact that Holden is himself and refuses to conform to society. The color red also contributes to the blood and conflicts of the book, but just as he wears the hat backwards, he brings a sense of individuality by doing so. I think the author is trying to tell us that Holden has a special connection to the color red. His brother's hair was red. His face was covered in blood after being punched. Maybe the color red is just a bad omen for Holden. Overall, I am not so certain as to what it really symbolizes, although I strongly believe it is just what I stated.
ReplyDeleteReferring to Holden's broken hand, I think the significance of his broken hand is a token of remembrance for his brother's death and its psychological impact on Holden's current life. It will always remind Holden of that tragic event in his life as long as that wound remains there. The long term effect also symbolizes the time that has passed since the event transpired, which can also make it seem as if it was just recently if Holden remembers why and how he got the wound in the first place.
-Rejiryc Perez
Since you weren't completely certain about what the hat and the color red symbolizes allow me to give my attempt at explaining.
DeleteHolden puts the hat on at times of vulnerability. An example is when he was writing the composition for Stradlater and reminiscing about his brother, Allie. So in a way, this red hunting hat acts as an armor of sorts for Holden, it makes him feel safe and secure when he's wearing it. As to why the color red is prevalent in the novel, it is because it evokes intense emotions, such as love and anger. So the red objects (The hat, Allie's hair, his blood) show the various emotions he felt regarding them. The hat is anger towards the world, Blood is how he's vulnerable, and Allie is related to his intense regret and sadness. Which directly ties in to how he broke his fist.
I view Holden's question regarding the ducks as a symbol related to maturing as an adult. "Where do they go?" is Holden's way of asking where does a child's innocence go when they become adults.
-Josef Urrete
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Angel's comment that Holden wearing his hunting cap backwards is representative of his rebellious nature, however I do not agree that the hat's red color is a way for him to show that he is unique. In all of Catcher in the Rye, whether it's the hat or his blood, red represents pain. Red is a symbol of his hatred towards "phonies," his sense of isolation, his mourning and sorrow towards what he has lost. Quite often Holden tells us that he's "depressed" or a "madman," and at first we take it as a joke, but as you progress through the story you begin to realize that he's not making it up for amusement. Holden IS in pain. And he's bitter towards the world because of it. He isolates himself from others because 9 times out of 10 he thinks they're phonies. He's depressed because he's lonely, because everyone is a phony and he pushes everyone away. Holden has a real problem, and very real pain, which is probably why we are given the indication that he is in an institution.
ReplyDeleteHolden broke his hand because he broke all the windows in his garage in a fit of rage after his younger brother, Allie, died from leukemia. Mr. Rodriguez pointed out Holden's comment that he "can't make a real fist any more," and I think that because of the heartache and grief of Allie's death -that's when Holden totally lost it. Holden adored Allie, and if you've ever lost someone you love, you know how much it can hurt. I'm not justifying his negative and outrageous behavior or anything, but y'know, some people cope better than others. the fact that Holden still cannot form a fist symbolizes that he still isn't over Allie's death, and that he still cannot get a grip on reality and his life.
Similarly to his broken hand, the ducks can also be associated with the loss of Allie.
Q: Holden keeps asking about these damn ducks. What the heck is up with that??
A: Throughout the entire novel, Holden worries about death and disappearance. To him, they're kinda one in the same. Holden seems to be obsessed with the ducks, asking where they go for the winter and if they're okay. Correspondingly, in chapter 15 when Holden meets the two nuns at the sandwich bar and starts talking to one of them about Romeo and Juliet, He discusses how Mercutio's death upsets him because "He was very smart and entertaining and all," and he says, "The thing is, it drives me crazy if somebody gets killed... and it's somebody else's fault," which can also be seen later in chapter 22 when he talks about James Castle committing suicide when he was bullied and harassed by some jerks just because he called one of them "conceited." These represent his deep concern that things will just disappear and die. When he thinks of the ducks and the death of his brother, Mercutio, and James Castle, it further pursues his sense of loneliness. Like seriously guys, this dude is so lonely and worried about more things in his life disappearing that he's even stressing about where the ducks go for the winter. That's just sad.
What do you guys think?
If we were to just take a look at Holden’s personality then we can already see a difference between him and most of the other teenagers of the time, so his red hunting hat is not a surprise to be another definition of his individuality. The red hunting hat is completely different than what most people would wear as hats and adding in the color and wearing a hat backwards is completely out of the ordinary which is why it used to represent the large difference between Holden and other teenagers of the time. The reason behind the broken hand to me is that it represents Holden’s inability to emotionally get past his brother Allie’s death and the damage it caused him is a constant reminder of his death and the pain it causes him. As for the ducks in the lake I find them to be a way for Holden to ask about his own innocence and that of other children growing up. Holden wonders what happens to the ducks he wondered if the ducks were taken by “some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away.” (pg 13) which to me seems like Holden is asking whether someone or something forces them to grow up or if they just did it on their own.
ReplyDelete-Cristian Hernandez
The red hunting hat Holden possesses is supposed to represent that he likes unique qualities that a person or object may have. For example, Holden simply relishes that Jane Gallagher, “wouldn’t move any of her kings.” (Salinger 41). He found that super fascinating while Stradlater couldn’t care less. The reason why Holden purchased the hat to cheer himself up after losing the fencing equipment. In the novel, the hat reflects Holden’s need for isolation and his need for companionship since Holden wears it to stand out but he he is self conscious about it and doesn’t wear it around people he knows.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned by Mr. Rodriguez, the color red has been present throughout the novel. The color is present in Holden’s hunting cap, Allie’s hair, and the blood from Holden’s nose. I think J.D. Salinger is trying to tell us that the novel is full of emotion. I believe that the red things above represents an emotion. The red hunting cap symbolizes Holden trying to be confident since it is unusual hat and he wears it to stand out from people around him. Allie’s hair was made red represent the love Holden had for his younger brother. The blood from Holden’s nose shows the anger he instigated from Stradlater which caused him to strike Holden.
Holden’s broken hand is significant because it shows the anger he felt when Allie died. His reaction to it was to punch the garage windows. The broken hand symbolizes the distraught Holden was in and Holden’s inability to completely cope with Allie’s passing.
Across the novel, Holden wonders where the ducks go for the winter since the pond freezes over. This mystery for Holden represents the fear of disappearance and change he has. The ducks migrating out of the pond symbolizes that change is not forever since they eventually come back when the pond thaws out. At first it does seem like a silly question but I don’t think it is. It shows the curiosity Holden has and desire to get more information with that particular enigma. Reading about how curious and willing Holden is about the ducks is refreshing since he is usually depressed by most things around him.
Much like how Janelle Douglas stated, I feel like Holden's red hunting hat not only represents his rebellious nature, but also his individuality when compared to others. The red color could symbolize how he stands out from others, since red is a bright color that catches one's attention. However, I believe the color more so is a symbol of Allie's death, who also had red hair (as mentioned by Holden on page 50). Even after his death, Holden holds on the hat, like the baseball glove, in remembrance of his brother. He could also be holding on to it because of guilt. He idolized his brother so much, that he wishes he were the one to die instead. Additionally, Holden's broken hand shows the negative impact that his brother's death had on him. It becomes clear that Allie’s death was one of the most devastating experiences of Holden’s life, which may add on to his already unstable mentality and eventually his psychological breakdown.
ReplyDeleteHolden asking the taxi driver about the ducks may symbolize himself in having to deal with harsh situations and complications throughout his life. He questions where they go, which adds on to the fact that he too is trying to search for a "safe haven" from the corrupt world. Like the ducks having to fly away from the increasingly cold weather, Holden is forced to flee from the pressures in his life, finding out where to go.
-Meagan Phillips
To me the red hunting hat is Holden's thinking cap. He constantly puts on the red hat whenever he engages in a deep thought process. When he goes on walks, he puts on the red hat and thinks. When he sits down, he puts the red hat on and thinks. The red in the hat probably represents death and violence, because that is what Holden's thoughts usually consist of. He thinks about what people would at his funeral do after he is dead, how much he misses his dead brother and the roommate that committed suicide and is now dead. His thoughts are always about death and the red cap is basically a red thinking cap of death.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks probably represent a part of his childhood that is gone. Holden wants to see the ducks, but it is too cold for them to be out in the lake. He probably thinks of the duck as his childhood, the childhood he shared with Allie and Holden probably wants to see Allie.
-Risvi Tareq
Holden admits the red hunting hat he buys is corny and bizarre indeed. Yet, he purchases the hat in New York after pissing off the whole team. We can see how vulnerable he was at that time and any other time he pulls out and wears his red hunting hat. Even though he may be embarrassed about wearing the hat, the hunting hat becomes very important to how Holden perceives himself to be. Since the hunting hat is red, I believe it symbolizes a connection he holds on to Allie, his brother who passed away from leukemia. When Holden does wear the hat, I believe he feels more secure and more like a child, as he wishes to go back to how things were in his childhood.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ducks in the lake in Central Park, I believe it symbolizes how he yearns for all the people he has lost to come back, just like how the ducks always seem to come back after winter. Throughout the novel, we learn that the death of Allie is a central point in Holden’s depression and isolation. He pays attention to how people are more willing to cry about movies and more preoccupied on their own agenda, then realizing the effect World War II had on many lives and the atrocities he does. He hates the phoniness of society and begins to contemplate suicide because none of the things help him overcome the atrocities in life. Yet, the ducks are an important symbol to how Holden overcomes his overwhelming suicidal thoughts. If the ducks come back after a harsh winter, so can he.
-Celeste Lettieri
There are many symbols that are shown throughout this novel especially the color red. But what is shown throughout this novel is his red hunting hat. Although he knows it is a bit bizarre, he bought the hat when he was vulnerable. Just like many of my peers said, it symbolizes uniqueness but I believe that it also symbolizes the damage that he has gone through. The fact that he bought this hat at a time he was vulnerable makes this hat a symbol of security. Since he bought the hunting hat when he was feeling alone and insecure, he felt as if the hat was his protection. I noticed that whenever he put on his hat, it was times he was alone. His hat also provides a symbolism of being different and unique. He does know how peculiar it is to use his hat on backwards but he didn’t care. As for the ducks symbolism, I agree with most of my peers that state the ducks are Holden himself. He is always wondering where the ducks will go in the future because he himself doesn’t know what he will do in his future. He basically is asking everybody what his or her opinion is on his fate.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned, he broke his hand the night when his brother Allie died of leukemia. The fact that in the future his hand is still damaged from this night can also symbolize that he is still hurt and damaged over his brother’s death. As many of my peers have already stated, it symbolizes that the damage has still yet to heal even though time has passed.
-Angel Villareal
Holden’s red hunting hat is brought up very often in the novel, “The Catcher in the Rye,” and is worn by Holden for a majority of his story. People have questioned his hat due to it being a strange hat to wear on a day-to-day basis and it being worn backwards. I feel that Holden’s peculiar hat symbolizes his out of the ordinary personality. The hat represents just how lonely and isolated Holden truly is and how different he is from everyone else. Not only that, but the color of the hat helps to portray the pessimistic attitude in which Holden maintains. The color red tends to stand for blood, anger or violence and these all relate to Holden in some way or another. For example, the incident where Stradlater and Holden get into a fight, blood, anger and violence are all tangled into that mess and many other messes as well.
ReplyDeleteDuring the novel, Holden tells us about that when his brother, Allie, died of leukemia, he punched out some windows and now cannot make a complete fist. I believe that him not being able to make a complete fist plays a significant role in his audience learning to understand his affection towards Allie. He has not been able to let go of his brother and seems to get emotional when he discusses him. The fact that the reason why he can’t make a complete fist is because of the anger and frustration of his brother’s death, I feel that there is some part of him that is just too strongly connected to Allie causing him to not be able to forget his dear brother.
Throughout the novel as well, Holden continues to ask about the ducks at Central Park. He asks questions like “Where do they go during the winter?” Since the winter in New York is harsh I think that by him asking these questions he is basically wondering where he will go during his harsh times in life. It’s almost as if Holden is seeing himself as the ducks and wondering what he would do in a time of desperation.
-Caroline Beel
The red hunting hat that Holden wears is a symbol of independence, separation, protection from the world, but most importantly, alienation. The hat protects him, but also reinforces his alienation. This object helps Holden see who he is as an individual. At the end of the book, Phoebe puts the hat on Holden’s head. Although seemingly not important, this demonstrates her love for him as the person he is.
ReplyDeletePertaining to the ducks in the lake, Holden has experienced many deaths of people close to him and somehow the ducks help him. I think it is the knowing that the ducks will come back. Although he does not know where they are going, he knows that come back every year as he will too. I found it interesting that Holden found comfort in the ducks. I say this because this book takes place in post-World War II America. Many suffered losses and took comfort in consumerism, pop culture, the romanticized war era, etc. For Holden who has experienced the loss of his younger brother Allie (due to cancer), the ducks represent his continual will to live despite his suicidal thoughts.
-Hannah McElmoyl
Holden’s red hunting hat appears quite frequently throughout the book. He purchases the hat the day after he had lost all of the fencing team's equipment so at the time he was feeling liable. Like many of my peers have already stated I think that the hat represents Holden’s uniqueness and individuality. I feel like the hat reflects his eagerness to be different than everyone else. When he is wearing his hat he feels like he is able to be himself
ReplyDeleteThe color red also makes recurring appearances in the story and is evident that it symbolizes something important. Usually when people think of the color red negative thoughts flood their mind but in this case i don't think the color red symbolizes something awful. In other words i believe that red symbolizes purity. The red hat was a way for Holden to feel connected to his siblings Allie and Phoebe considering they both had red hair.
Holden's broken hand was caused by punching the windows when his younger brother Allie died. Losing a loved one is very difficult and you get overwhelmed with so many different emotions all at once. He felt angry that he was lonely and could not express how he was feeling at the time. His broken hand is being represented by his brother Allie.
As for the ducks i feel like Holden sees the ducks as himself. When the ducks leave it's only temporary which is similar to Holden's situation. After leaving school during christmas time he travels to New York instead of home.
-Alexis Gaskin
I think that Holden's hat represents his own individuality and how he strives to be different from everyone else since he believes that many people are "phony." I also believe that it shows that he stands apart from others because he always feels isolated and alone.
ReplyDeleteHolden breaks his hand while punching windows in his garage the night Allie died and can barely make a fist anymore. He breaks the windows because he was angry and upset over Allie's death. It is obvious that his brother was really important to him. Also, I think that the fist symbolizes how he still cannot fully recover from his brother's death and he is still trying to cope with it.
Holden cannot stop thinking about the ducks and keeps on wondering where they go off to. In my opinion, the duck symbolize the transition of childhood into adulthood because they leave in the wintertime but they eventually come back once the season changes. Just how one leaves their childhood and matures into adulthood. I think that Holden cannot accept change and he is afraid of getting older and letting go of his childhood.
-Sarah Solis
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI personally felt that Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol of his true identity, the freedom to be the person he wants to be and say the things he wants to say. However, he does not usually wear the hat out in public places such as the train or the bar. This implies that while Holden is comfortable being himself when he is in private, he does not have the confidence to be outrageous and outspoken in public, at least out loud. The color of the hat is also important because Holden describes both Allie and Phoebe as being redheads, which fits because they both accept their own individuality and uniqueness. Another important part of the novel involving the red hunting hat is at the end of the novel when Phoebe places the hat on Holden's hat, telling him that she accepts his individuality and he should embrace it.
ReplyDeleteThe question Holden repeats throughout the story about the ducks symbolizes Holden own internal struggle with change. The ducks leave temporarily but always return after winter ends. After his brother Allie's death, Holden has trouble accepting change and is terrified of disappearance.
-Daniela Nolasco
I concur with my fellow peer Noah Pasimio as he stated previously how Holden's hunting hat represents his rebelliousness against traditions of his time. Holden's defiance is depicted when he wears the hunting hat backwards as it was not the traditional way to wear it during the 1950s.
ReplyDeleteThe color red is very significant throughout the novel. I believe the hunting hat is red because it represents Holden's uniqueness and individuality. The color red is also present in many moments of Holden's struggles. For example when he is hit in the nose as he gets in an altercation with Stradtlater. As well as when he breaks the windows with his fist after his brother had passed away. The color red represents Holden's pain and suffering. As for his hand being permanently displaced, it represents the connection he will always have with his brother Allie.
In my opinion, the ducks symbolize Holden. Holden is always traveling and moving around like the ducks. Holden is constantly asking about the ducks because he believes that he is very similar to them.
-Joseph Liang
I believe that Holden's broken hand and the fact that he can barely form a fist now symbolizes that just like how his hand never fully recovered from punching the windows, neither did he from Allie's death. Holden never got the closure he needed to move on. I don’t think he won’t ever get the closure he deserves, but I do think he didn’t realize he needed it and didn’t know how to go about getting it. Just like he says he doesn’t care much about his hand not being the same anymore, and won’t make the effort to do something about it just because he’s not aspiring to be a surgeon or a pianist.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daniela Nolasco in that Holden wondering about the ducks in the lake symbolizes his own internal struggle with change and I think it's also about dealing with grim situations in his environment. Just like the ducks are forced to leave due to the lake being frozen, Holden feels the need to run away when the responsibilities and pressures of life are closing in on him.
-Paola Ochoa
I agree with my peers that the red hat symbolizes Holden’s sense of uniqueness and individuality. The purpose of this hat is to represent how he does not fit in, nor does he try to. In that time period, hunting hats were not usually worn around the streets of New York and I believe that is the reason he wears it. Due to the cold climate in that state, the hat gives him a sense of warmth, both physically and emotionally. Whenever he feels vulnerable, alone, or depressed, he puts on the hat. The hat brings him a feeling of comfort and security. The color red is bright and stands out. Holden is given the opportunity to stand out and show the world who his true self actually is.
ReplyDeleteHolden’s broken hand symbolizes the idea that he will never be truly healed from his little brother, Allie’s, death. Him not being able to close his fist from punching the wall subsequent to his death relates to how his heart will never be healed from the loss of his close relationship with his brother. I can relate to this because I as well am very close with my brother and would never be able to fully recover from such a detrimental loss. Holden has a fascination with ducks and where they go in the winter. He is not sure on where they go, but he can always rely on them to be there until then. I think that Holden wonders where they go when life is not in their favor and what happens next. He wonders what to do with his own life in the same situation. As a suicidal teen, he remains strong and is still hopeful as he is reminded by his few, but effective happy memories.
JD Salinger, The author of The Catcher In The Rye, uses very many objects as symbols to allow readers to recognize their significance to the main characters. As Mr. Rodriguez referred, Holden's red hunting hat is very symbolic to the type of character he is. I agree with my peers in that the red hunting hat would appear to symbolize Holden's unique personality as oppose to the other characters in the book. With that being said, since red is a very noticeable color, a person would be able to recognize someone wearing red quite easily, so i believe the red hunting hat is significant to Holden's character, as he is quite abnormal. In a past blog, us students were able to understand that Holden is an outsider who is dealing with isolationism and i feel that the author chose a red hunting hat for Holden to further show the different type of person he is as oppose to the others. I feel that the color red symbolizes the feelings and inner thoughts Holden is experiencing throughout the book. Regarding the frequent use of the hat, I would have to agree with Risvi Tareq in his statement that Holden can be seen wearing the hat during times of deep thought, such as when he is reading in the room. With the hat being backwards, again, i feel that this is Holden's way of being different from the others, and he possibly could have helped start the trend.
ReplyDeleteAs readers know, red can symbolize many things. Red may be significant to a person's feelings, such as love, anger, or frustration. In specific parts of the story, Salinger exclaims the red blood both on Holden's face during the fight with Stradlater, and on his hand after punching through the windows when his brother died from leukemia. With these two very different situations, i feel that during the scene where he punches the windows, the red blood would symbolize Holden's love for his brother, however his anger toward his passing. Many people go through different stages of grief when a loved one dies, and anger is one of those stages. The fight with stradlater would definitely be a situation of anger toward someone, and the uncontrolled feeling of it.
When i read that Holden broke his hand when his brother died, i immediately felt sympathy toward Holden and his family for the passing. As i said, many people go through a stage of anger when a loved one passes away. I feel that with Holden's broken hand, this may symbolize that Holden can never be the same without his brother. As if Holden would never be able to find a cure the pain he feels inside for losing his brother.
I agree with my peers in that birds migrate during the winter. And in this case, Holden has flunked out of 4 schools, and this may be a symbol that represents his constant migration to different places.
The color red typically incorporates tones of violence, anger, and rage. While this is a common theme, Holden's red hunting hat also represents a sense of individuality that sets apart his character from others, and creates a personality that differs from the standard norm, one that is made to evidently stand out from the very beginning. The unique quality of the hunting hat along with the way he prefers to wear it backwards connects similarly with the way he thinks and acts apart from those around him. In a way, I view Holden's red hunting hat in correlation with his cynical and pessimistic attitude; a physical attribution representing his perspective of life and way of living. As opposed to the negativity the color red usually symbolizes, I believe that the hat more so gives light to his difference, physically confirming him as a distinct and exceptional character.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I also see the hat as something that can relate with Holden's childhood, a topic that is stressed to be his few sources of positivity and happiness, as well as nostalgia and sadness. Holden's childhood and his relationship with his siblings also seems to be of importance with the hat as it was passed along between Holden and Phoebe towards the end of the novel. The red color of the hunting hat, the red in Allie's hair, and even the red elephants on Phoebe's pajamas significantly connect with Holden's endearment towards his siblings, his childhood, and the few people he consistently thinks of and expresses his love and care for. The emotional grasp of his childhood relates to the hat as he holds on to his youth, shown by the passing of the hat from Holden to Phoebe, or his youthful behavior as he wore the hat.
In regards to the ducks in the ponds during winter, I believe that Holden frequently asking about the ducks also relates to his emotional hold over youth. While the ducks need a place to stay over winter, he constantly asks others what happens to them during this time and wonders why less people care in exception to him. The ducks in a way serves as children/youthfulness, something that Holden strongly cares for and holds on to within himself, also something he struggles to let go of.
I want to focus on Holdens constant questioning of where the ducks in the ponds go after winter. When Holden begins to ask this question more than once with a different cab drivers, it becomes obvious that this question holds some significance to Holden himself. When I thought about this question to myself, I came to the conclusion that Holden was asking this question not because he was curious about nature, but curious about life, death, and life after death. Holden references death in this novel more than often. One of his more notable references of death is how he states how he felt like committing suicide some time after his night out in New York (which was the same night that he asked the duck question). In reality, even though Holden likes to act with confidence, he is hiding these dark feelings from the world. His constant questioning of where the ducks go after winter, is just one of the few hints of those dark feelings that he shows the world.
ReplyDeleteAs for the red hunting hat, I am not very good with symbolism. However as I was reading some responses, I can agree with the idea that Holdens hat symbolizes how he is different from others. Given how he does not really use his hat for actual hunting (which stradlater mentions in an early chapter), I think this hat further supports the consistent theme of alienation in the novel (which was discussed in a previous blog post) given how he wears it when he chooses to
-Eric Solorio
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ReplyDeleteIn Holden’s world of depression and alienation, it is essential to cling onto both tangible and intangible items that provide a heightened sense of security and comfort. As previously analyzed in Post #2, it was necessary for Holden to create a positive memory of Pencey in order to move on. Similarly, Holden continued to seek a certain inner peace when he began to inquire about the ducks in central park. The question displays a surprisingly curious attitude which contrasts his cynical persona. The change in mood emphasizes that there is more to the question than its apparent inquisitive nature. In my opinion, the ducks in central park is a microcosm of Holden’s life thus far. I agree with Zuri Smith that the ducks may represent Holden since he also moves around quite often. His worries are expressed through this symbolic question, but are quickly eased upon his realization that the ducks’ change in environment is only temporary. Therefore, perhaps Holden’s life is also governed by a natural pattern where change is only temporary.
ReplyDeleteHolden’s red hunting hat is also an item meant to heighten his sense of security and comfort. However, his use of the hat is quite ironic because it only extends his alienation. The hat is an unusual item to wear in the city of Manhattan which once again addresses the theme of rebellion in the novel. However, initially, I did not see the hat as a symbol of rebellion but rather a way to remind himself that everything is going to be okay. Especially in the 1950’s, the gender rule that men should not show too much emotion was prevalent. Therefore, when I analyzed the moments when Holden decides to wear the hat such as after his fight with Stradlater, it became evident that wearing the hat may remind him to stay strong. In addition, Holden honors ingenuity as evidenced by his constant mockery of phony individuals. Therefore, Holden may wear the hat in order to stay true to himself and his underlying feelings.
-Lizeth Estrada
As we continue to learn more about our protagonist, I believe this red hat resembles Holden's role in society. Red is a bright color which stands out quite often. As my peers have correctly stated, this a symbol of Holden's uniqueness and individuality within society. The reason he may wear it backwards may also resemble Holden's rebellious nature. One reason I believe he wears it in certain occasions is because he is most likely self conscience about it. As stated, it is a very unique and unusual piece of clothing which draws a lot of unnecessary attention.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't put much thought on why his hand is broken and why this is significant, however, after reading the insights of my peers I agree on how his broken hand resembles the lingering pain within him.
I believe that the color red is a significant color in this book for in my opinion resembles both innocence and violence. I assume that the Salinger chose this color and made it so that both Phoebe and Allie's hair is red to represent the innocent side of the color and chose blood to resemble the violent nature that lingers within our society.
-Devin Wong-Magusara
I saw Holden's red hunting hat as a symbol of his identity. The hat is strange and a bit odd, as is Holden. It seemed that Holden chose to hide behind it, as he only wore it at occasions when he did not care about his appearance. Holden hides behind fake ode ties throughout the novel. The hat allows him to become the independent individual he desires to be.
ReplyDeleteAlso when Phoebe wears the hat, there seems to be some significance behind it. When Phoebe walks towards Holden wearing the hat and carrying his suitcase, he realizes something. In his eyes Phoebe is beginning to follow in his footsteps. This is probably the reason he changes his mind about leaving home.
When Holden wonders about what happens to ducks in the winter, I think the symbolic is towards the ice. When the pond freezes, there is less and less room for ducks to move. They are then forced to leave. In my opinion the ice represents the pressure closing in on Holden's life, which is forcing him to move on and figure out a new plan.
-Carola Cabral
Just as the is an unusual piece of clothing, Holden is an unusual protagonist- an unusual character. Both the hat and Holden stick out from the crowd, both the hat and Holden possess their own unique personality. The sheer uniqueness of the cap makes me believe that it represent who Holden truly is, his true behavior. Whenever he decides to wear the hat, he is comfortable with showing his true colors. When he tucks it away, he feels a need to blend in more with his surroundings and environment. And just as Carola has stated, when Phoebe wears his hat, it symbolizes how she admires his ways and how she had begun to follow in his footsteps.
ReplyDeleteAllie was an individual whom Holden admired greatly. He looked up to him, and he was one of the very few people Holden praised. As such, when Holden broke his hand after his death, I believe it symbolized the moment in which he snapped. The long term effect of being unable to make a fist not only symbolizes a lingering pain, but also an inability to get a grip on his life. As a result of the pain losing Allie brought, he can no longer get a hold of connections with others, he can no longer get a hold on what to do.
And finally, the ducks in the lake in Central Park seem to symbolize action in the face of adversity. The lake turning to ice represents one's surroundings becoming hard- both literally and figuratively. Holden is facing terrible hardships in this point in his life, and the ducks face the hardship of losing their home every winter. I believe he continuously asks for the ducks' whereabouts to know how they deal with their problem. Do they stay and face it all? Or do they turn their backs and find somewhere easier on them? Perhaps this knowledge, Holden would have followed in their footsteps.
-Kiara Mendaros
Holden associates his red hunting hat with comfort, the author mentions the accessory in several occasions like when Holden goes back to his room instead of going to the game. He bought the hat in New York right after losing all of the sports equipment on the subway, and like any other person, that would make him feel embarrassed to be him at that moment because he let the whole team down. So, purchasing that hat after that cringing moment of humiliation he develops a sense of comfort when wearing the hat. He wears it when he chose to go back to his room instead of the game because he knew that everybody was going to be there and the word would have already spread that he lost the equipment; wearing the hat comforts him because at that point many people would know about that downfall of his. Another occasion in which he wears the hat is after he gets punched by his roommate—Stradlater—after the fight the first thing he did was look for his hat so he could feel the comfort he associates it with.
ReplyDeleteRed is usually associated with anger and violence but I do not think the hat directly symbolizes those negative connotations. I feel like the color reminds Holden of his brother who passed away—Allie—and his sister—Phoebe— because that’s their hair color, which suggests that he finds comfort in thinking about those two. Throughout the novel he constantly changes his opinions about the people he meets, yet his opinion on his brother and sister remains the same. I guess the memory of his brother and the presence of his sister seem to be the only stable things in his life which is another reason why he associates comfort with the hat because it reminds him of them.
Now, Holden’s broken hand is a symbol of how his brother’s death deeply affected him. He broke it as a response to the passing of his brother which shows his violent, and angry moments. He also mentions how he can’t fully form a fist due to that incident which symbolizes how he wasn’t left the same after his brother’s death; similar to his hand he remains hurt and broken.
On the topic of Holden breaking his hand, it symbolizes his inability to accept Allie’s death. After all of that time, Holden was never able to heal in a way that helped him come to terms with the passing of his brother. Just like his hand, it broke then healed, however, we are lead to believe that it did not heal correctly, considering how he cannot make a tight fist. To me, this is a significant connection because like his hand, he has not healed completely. I use the word “completely” because it is Holden that has been unable to move forward from the death of his brother. I did not use the word “correctly” in terms of Holden’s healing because there is no “correct” way to heal after one’s death. Holden just has not been able to heal at all. In terms of his hand, not able to tighten his fist to its full capability is a constant reminder for him of his anger and sadness over Allie’s passing. He cared for and loved his brother deeply. When it comes to Allie, we see a real side of Holden. Allie’s death affected Holden greatly. After his passing, Holden often speaks and thinks highly of his brother. In more ways than others, Holden was never able to heal because he did not receive any help with dealing with the way he felt about the death of his younger brother. Holden’s broken hand and reaction to Allie’s death demonstrates how he reacts to misfortune. He puts himself into harms way. I think that he does this because he would rather deal with the physical pain than the pain of loss or any other emotional pain he would experience.
ReplyDelete-Reese McElmoyl
In the beginning of the book we become familiar with Holden's red hunting hat as it holds a deeper underlying significance. I believe his hat represents a shield of protection. He often puts it on when he is dealing with a lot of emotions as if he is trying to hide what he truly feels or hide from the pain he is feeling. Holden makes it very clear that he does not care what others will think of the hat and often wears it backwards. Him wearing it backwards seems to make him feel more mature and cool as well as a symbol of his rebellion against societal norms. The color of the hat symbolizes his connection to his brother Allie because Allie's hair was red. The mentioning of the color red throughout the book is the author trying to uncover Holden's feeling of fear, his fear being hurt again.
ReplyDeleteHolden's curiosity of what happens to the ducks in Central Park when the lake freezes in the winter reveals a more compassionate side about him. Often Holden is very negative and shows little care in anything however his curiosity on this matter symbolizes him being unsure of himself and what direction he is heading.
-Jasmine Simmons
Holden Caulfield’s red hunting hat is mentioned regularly throughout this novel. I believe that Holden’s red hunting hat symbolizes a source of comfort and safety. Holden purchased the hat after he disappointed the fencing team by losing their foils at the station. By purchasing the hat, I believe the hunting hat was a way of comforting him after he failed. Holden also mentions, “I pulled the peak of my red hunting hat.. I was getting all nervous”. Holden put his hat on when he became nervous and this becomes a natural habit throughout the course of the novel.
ReplyDeleteHolden’s red hunting hat also represents his little brother Allie, who brings comfort to him.
The color of Allie’s hair is red, just like the hat. And because of this, Allie plays a big role when it comes to the red hunting hat. Holden has always had a great relationship with his little brother and it is quite not a coincidence that his hat and Allie’s hair are the same color. I believe that one of the reasons of why Holden’s hunting hat plays a significant role in the novel is because it reminds him of Allie, one of the few whom he loves and cares for the most.
Not to mention, I believe the hunting hat represents his childhood. Towards the end of the novel, Holden gives away his hunting hat to his little sister Phoebe. He says, “Then I took my red hunting hat out of my coat pocket and gave it to her”. By giving his hat to Phoebe, I believe that he now accepted the fact that it is time to move on from his childhood and for Phoebe to live hers.
When Holden’s little brother passed away, he punched out the windows. Because of this, Holden was unable to form a fist correctly. I believe that the long term significance of this is that Holden is never going to get over the death of his little brother. As I mentioned before, Allie is one of the few that Holden loves and cares for, and when he passed away, it affected him in a way where he will never be the same again.
Referring to the ducks, I think that the ducks in the Lake at Central Park represent himself. He relates to the ducks in a sense that he is terrified of the idea of change. Just like the ducks going away during the winter time while having the lake be “partly frozen to partly not frozen”, he moves away from Pencey and his home on a journey in New York City, searching for his own adulthood, away from childhood.
I think Holden's red hunting hat symbolizes the rebelliousness if the character. If you think about it, Holden is the only one mentioned to have the hat, let alone he wears it backwards. This shows how Holden's character is different from the average joe at the time. I don't believe the red symbolizes anything for the hat in particular. I think the hat just being red gives it more flare along with the fact he wears it backwards which no one seems to do.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the book though, red does appear more and I think that this symbolizes something that the author himself might have been feeling at the time. Salinger did have PTSD so if red symbolizes anger, maybe he emphasized it in the novel to symbolize his own anger against what he witnessed in the war? Even the cover of the book is red.
Back to Holden, I think his broken hand symbolizes more or less, a consequence of unchecked rage. Obviously Holden was filled to the brim with emotion when his brother Allie died, however the fact that his hand if broken for the rest of his life all because of how he acted in the garage when he broke all the windows. He even stated that he did not know exactly why he broke all the windows, he just decided too. So from the character point of view, having that broken hand forever can symbolize for one, Allie and his death, and two, a point of rage to where Holden should try to control how he reacts to his emotions.
Finally, I feel like the ducks in central park symbolize a bigger picture to Holden than it would seem. Sure Holden goes around asking about the ducks out of his curiosity but I feel like in a sense Holden wished he had the freedom they had. To leave as they please. Not be in one place too long changing with the seasons. I say this because Holden already seems to be a independent person, he is depressed, but independent. Maybe its the birds freedom Holden seeks or maybe it simply takes his mind off of his depression and gives him an easier mind.
-Isaiah Wilson
The red hunting hat Caulfield wears in certain situations is definitely unique. I agree with most of my peers in the sense that this red hat brings comfort to the narrator. In other words he uses this hat to feel protected from the outside world. Throughout the novel we read how Caulfield only wears the red hat when presented to rough and isolated times. He wears it after the fight with Stradlater and he also wears it when he goes out for late night walks. When it comes to the color of the hat, the color red definitely shows boldness and violence in general, but I strongly believe that this is not the reason why Caulfield purchased this hat. I believe that Caulfield purchased this hat in the color red because it reminded him of his younger siblings . "People with red hair are supposed to get mad very easily, but Allie never did, and she had very red hair." ( Salinger42) The reason why I think that Caulfield probably purchased this hat thinking about his younger siblings is because he is always talking about them in such a loving way. He says nothing, but positive things about both his siblings.
ReplyDeleteAfter Allie's death, Caulfield reacts to it by breaking all of the garage windows causing him to break his hand. Caulfield explains that after that incident, he is not able to fully form a fist with his hand. After I read this Paragraph I stopped and re-read it because the fact that he can not fully form a fist in my opinion, relates to the fact that he can not fully let go of the fact that Allie passed away. To answer Mr. Rodriguez's last question, when Caulfield asks about the ducks in the central park I feel a connection between Caulfield and the ducks. He asks where the ducks go during the winter which seems like a very funny question at first, but after re-reading I feel like Caulfield feels like the ducks you can say. He really does not know where to go after leaving Pencey so he ends up in a hotel and various bars.
The color is a representation of an oddity. Holden wears a red hunting hat wears a cheap, red hunting hat, an unusual commodity among the wealthy. It seems to me that he only wheres the hat when doing something "unique"; for instance, sneaking into your own house. The bloody punch is red because of how rare violence was among prep school boys, because it could get them kicked out. And finally, Allie with his shocking red hair, a recessive gene. Allie was a young boy, obsessed with poetry, fantastic at sports and apparently a boy genius; he was a precious specimen indeed. So red, was used to emphasize an odd occurrence.
ReplyDeleteHolden is one with the ducks, the ducks are one with Holden. He is curious about the ducks because he needs to know what they do. When their world stops and everything seems bleak, where do they escape to? How do those clever little ducks survive? Now that Holden has flunked his fourth prep school, he is looking for the next step. How will he survive this cold damp winter and make it to the next spring? Like the ducks, Holden needs to escape the harsh, cold reality.
I believe that Holden's res hunting hat represents him individuality, not everyone wear a read hunting hat. The fact that it is red it makes me think that he wants to be unique in a way he wants to be noticeable for wearing a red hunting hat. The color red may also represent rebelliousness, he is a teen who his always doing exactly the opposite of what he should be doing. When he is suppose to be at a prestigious prep school he is instead out in New York looking for a place to get a drink at. This hat may give him some type of confidence which allows him to do and say whatever crosses his mind. I think he wears it backwards to once again be a rebel, he has proven to hate rules and he is very famous for constantly breaking them.
ReplyDeleteWith the color red the author might be trying to tell us that this will always runs in Holden's life. He will always remember his brother and what took him away. It may also symbolize the future events in his life, there might be other tragic events that the other may want the reader aware of. The broken fist definitely symbolizes his brother's death, how at the moment it really hurt and it had a horrible effect, but the fact that he can barely form a fist proves that he will always remember his brother. The tragic event that took place will always be part of Holden's life, something that is unfixable.
When Holden asks about the ducks he shows some type of sympathy and emotion, something that I hadn't seen form Holden in the book. I strongly believe that with the ducks he references back to his brother Allie, when his brother died he didn't know where his brother went, I think that when he asks about the ducks he really wanted to know where his brother had gone to. Like he still didn't believe that his brother was gone.
Adding up to what Marlenne has already mentioned, i want to point out my POV about Holden showing sympathy towards the ducks. We all know that Holden has not forgotten his brother ally and he mourns his death every day. Back in the first chapter when he decided to ignore his childhood it was because he did not want to all about his brothers lost since he has not gotten over it.
Delete-aylineruelas
I agree with Anna and Paulina when they state that Holden's red hunting hat represents his individuality and uniqueness. Holden usually wears the hat during troubling times when he needs confidence and courage in which he finds while wearing the hat. The reason why Holden might be wearing the hat backwards could be a symbol for his nonconformity and a representation of rebellion against the rest of society. Furthermore, the color of the hat is also important. In the novel, the author informs the reader that Holden's siblings Phoebe and Allie both have red hair. By wearing the red hunting hat on his own head, Holden is trying to be similarly identified as his siblings and feel as innocent as them. This contributes to Holden's immaturity, but towards the end of the novel, Holden gives his hat to Phoebe. This indicates how Holden has matured and has found confidence and courage in himself and from Phoebe to return home to his family. Finally, Holden wearing his hat backwards and referencing to a baseball mitt full of poems for Allie sort of resembles a baseball catcher and sort of relates to him being the catcher in the rye.
ReplyDeleteFor me Holden's red hunting hat symbolizes his uniqueness, as many of my peers have mentioned. I think it is something that caught his eye because of how easily it would distinguish him from the rest of society due to the color red, which is commonly used to alert, and because of what a hunting hat symbolizes. All Holden has ever really wanted is to be recognized and valued, and one way of attempting to do that is by calling the attention of people. His selection of a red colored hat is purposeful since it is not a common fashion choice which is sure to single him out in a crowd especially in this time period where conformity was the norm.
ReplyDeleteI think his broken fist symbolizes a broken part of him; but not physically, rather, emotionally, mentally, and/or spiritually. When he broke all the garage windows after his brother Allie died from Leukemia, it revealed how much admiration he had towards his brother which really made me love his character even more. From the very beginning I tried to understand Holden, even though there is no possible excuse to behave the way he does, I still think it is important to understand. In part I believe losing this piece of innocence that is his brother, Holden becomes even more isolated and detached from what is reality.
I think that the ducks in central park may symbolize his longing to belong to something as he moves from stages in his life. For example, ever since he lost his brother, he only had his sister Phoebe but he had in a way lost that connection too, at least temporarily because he was away from her and all that made him feel sane. He even states in the novel that they are the only few normal people, implying that the people he was surrounded with are out of their minds and strange to him. I think he feels this way because they do not make him feel appreciated.
- Daniela Vargas
All of my fellow students have a great point when it comes to Holden's red hat, it does indeed have a deeper meaning to it. now what it signifies may be a few different things. his fear of maturity and adulthood seems like the most prevalent and possible meaning behind this hat.
ReplyDeleteThe whole book follows the concept of Holden, a 16 year old teenager with a terrible attitude and a huge fear of growing up. this of course is an inevitable occurrence in everyones life. even though Holden has gone to several preppy schools and yet refuses to go through the change of becoming a man. The white hair and his growth throughout a short period of time are all symbols of imminent adulthood. something no body can run away from no matter how much they try to run or hide. it doesn't matter how much you want to remain a child and innocent, growing up is one of those guaranteed things in our lives.
If one pays attention throughout the book, all Holden wanted was to be listened to by others and have his concerns heard. So for the whole book, our protagonist seeks the attention of older individuals to feel listened to. Yet ends up feeling like individuals are just talking over him and not paying attention to him.
-Christian Viscontti
The moment that Holden purchases his red hunting hat is crucial to understanding its importance to Holden. Holden purchases this hat as he is returning from the subway after forcing the Pencey fencing team to lose a match by losing the foils. As he is walking back, Holden is very vulnerable. Thus he seeks to regain composure through the red hunting hat. This is the first time he displays this reliance on the hat. He later does so each time he is vulnerable such as writing of his feelings of his late brother Allie, or after being beaten by Stradlater. After this trend continues it is obvious that this hat is an immediate tool for comfort. As many before me have stated its red color is the same as other objects that bring comfort to Holden. The importance and protection that this hat gives to Holden is only confirmed at the end of the book when Phoebe places it upon his head to protect him from the rain.
ReplyDeleteThe most significant and constant of all the symbols in the novel include Holden's red hunting hat, his hand that can no longer make a fist, and the ducks that he constantly ponders about.
ReplyDeleteI believe Holden's hat is a symbol for his individuality. When Holden first buys the hat , he is in New York with the team that he was managing. He bought it after he left the team's equipment, a time where he was feeling down on himself. From that point on, it appears every now and then as a sign of independence and individuality. The color of the hunting hat is not random. It adds to the idea that Holden is much different than any of the other students and is not easily able to blend in and conform.
Another symbol within this novel is the protagonist's fist. After his brother's death, he punched something and ever since he was never able to make a fist again. His hand being permanently impaired, symbolizes his heart and how after his brother passed it was broken in such a manner that it can never be fixed. The pain he experienced from this traumatic event forever changed his life and left him with many scars that have yet to heal.
The Ducks that are constantly being brought up are possibly a symbol of life and the different stages. I noticed that some of my peers thought that the ducks represented his longing to belong to something. I thought that this was an interesting concept, however i see them as something greater. Holden has experienced a lot of loss within his life and concentrating on the birds helps to relieve some of that pain. The thought that no matter what, at the end of a harsh winter, the ducks return to normal, keeps Holden going and hoping that no matter how bad the circumstance, life goes on.
The red hunting hat Holden wears from time to time in the book is a symbol of individuality, nonconformity and protection. Holden makes it abundantly clear throughout the book that he does not like “phonies”, I believe that the hat is a way for him to keep true to himself and protect him from said “phonies”. I believe that the presence of the hat mirrors his conflict of needing isolation versus needing companionship. As many others have stated, I believe that the color red is significant as Holden may associate it with his sister, Phoebe, and brother, Allie, and the purity and innocence that surround them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that holden’s hand is a physical reminder that he will never be the same without his brother. He has and will forever be changed because of his passing, his emotional state has been compromised just has his physical state has.
The ducks symbolize that some change is only temporary. The ducks go to an environment that suits them best for the time being, which I believe is what Holden is trying to do. The ducks and pond are representative of Holden’s change from childhood to adulthood.
I agree with the interpretations of most my peers in regards to the significance of the red hunting hat. I feel as though the hat symbolizes his rebellion against societal norms since it is a peculiar article of clothing. This in turn led me to conclude Holden rejects following societal norms because he attributes them to maturity and growing up, an idea he clearly dislikes.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, the color is red is seen multiple times. I believe that in regards to Holden, the color red symbolizes love as opposed to violence. The color red is mentioned in the descriptions of Allie, an individual expresses brotherly love for. The color red is also seen when Holden suffers from a bloody nose as a result of showing protectiveness towards Jane. And the color red is seen in Holden's hunting hat, which symbolizes protection when it is exchanged between Holden and Phoebe. Although the color connotes negativity on the surface, I believe the color red is indirectly used as a symbol for love and perhaps sacrifice.
I agree with Madison in that Holden's broken hand serves as one of the permanent changes that resulted from his brother's passing. In addition, his hand may symbolize the nature of healing from tragic events. He was hospitalized for breaking his hand, similar to how the effects of going through tragedy appear severe at first. His eventual discharge from the hospital symbolizes the steps that one takes in order to emotionally heal from traumatic events. His inability to make a fist without struggle symbolizes how one never fully recovers from tragedy, but must instead learn to cope with the lasting scars.
I believe that the ducks symbolize conformity in the novel. They must change their way of living in order to survive, similar to how Holden must eventually accept the reality of growing up in order to be an active participant in society.
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ReplyDeleteI think that perhaps the question of where the ducks go after winter. Serves as a symbol/ metaphor of what comes after death. There are several reason i drew this conclusion. The first being that Holden doesn't seem to be a religious person. This is due to the heavy drinking and other immoral acts. Another being that death seems to both fascinate Holden and scare him do to the fact he doesn't know what comes after them.
ReplyDeleteWinter serves as a symbol of death and the ducks as the spirit or mind after death. This can be seen in how during the winter all life seems to stop. The trees are completely barren, many animals go to a hibernate. The reason he keeps asking about it is because he worries about his brother Allie. If you recall he described how he feel bad that Allie had to lay alone in the rain while everyone else continued to live. Thus the ducks represent Allie's essence. Which is to be re awoken when in another life(when spring returns)
The use of the red hunting hat is the desire to be noticed and seen apart from a crowd. The crowd in this case seems to be society. I agree with my peers interpretations of the hat representing rebelling against society. This is supported when Holden favors using the hunting hat backwards, going against what is traditional.
ReplyDeleteAfter analyzing the events that included the color red, I concluded that it differed from the the common meaning of violence. Out of all the pieces of clothing he could of choose to wear that were red he had decided on a hat. From a physical view seeing himself wear it reminds him of Allie set of red hair. Then in fight scene although he fights back, he has mentioned that he is a pacifist. By bleeding it serves as a reminder that he is still alive and seeks comfort in that.
The use of ducks, as mentioned by other peers, is the fear and discomfort of change. Holden desires to know what come next for him. Especially after all the physical and emotional movement. Yet he is curious of the future, and wants to know that there is a part for him to play.
The red hunting hat is definitely a symbol towards individuality. Holden, by using the red hunting hat, makes it clear he's trying to distinguish himself from social norms. I did notice that Holden only wore the hat SOMETIMES, in cases where he seems sensitive. As the novel progresses, Holden makes it clear he'll wear the hat where no one will recognize him or when theres no one around. Holden states, "I took my old hunting hat out […] and put it on. I knew I wouldn't meet anybody that knew me." He seems to contradict himself when he states he'll wear the hat however he pleases to do so because he doesn't care about what others have to say about he says, but ends up taking off the hat whenever he's in public places. The way in which Holden seems to present himself as an individual demonstrate the way in which he attempts to be different are overshadowed by his insecurities on what others may think of him, despite him arguing otherwise. The color red symbolizes something deeper than just violence or bloodshed. It may be an attempt by Holden to make himself stand out from the gloomy background that New York's metropolitan atmosphere. The hat is red because it may suit Holden's personality best.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of red in the novel may be a reference to communism. While I will be making a post about the Marxist perspective, here I will be writing about the symbolism of red and how it ties into Holden’s character. The novel was written during the Cold War, when the Korean War and Rosenberg trial were occurring. The tension between communists and democrats was dramatic, and communists in America faced harsh treatment. As mentioned, the color red appears frequently, in Holden’s hunting hat, his siblings’ hair colors, and the blood from Stradlater’s punch and James Castle’s suicide. It does seem like Holden finds red in his life often. But the way he wears his hat is important in determining his character.
ReplyDeleteHolden only wears the hat when he believes nobody will care or see him. He does not wear the hat in a public area until Phoebe puts the hat on his head. He frequently talks about how silly the hat looks (especially when he wears is backwards), and how he does not care. It is as if Holden is hiding who he really is to those who are close to him. If a stranger saw him wearing the hat late at night, Holden would not really care, but if someone like Ackley saw him wearing the hat, he would be embarrassed. The hat may represent how Holden is hiding his beliefs, especially as a communist. When he wants to show the world who he is, he will be as dramatic and open as he can, but when it comes to those he is close to, he hides. It is not until Phoebe puts the hat on him that he accepts who he is. He is a rebel, a nonconformist, an outsider, just like a communist in America likely felt during the 1950s. Holden wants to embrace this idea, but he remains reserved and isolated. But once he is enabled, he realizes that he is proud to be who he is.
And we also see the presence of blood in this novel serving as a possible allusion to communism. The first appearance is when Stradlater punches him. During that scene, Holden tried to attack Stradlater for not answering a question. He found himself “partly fascinated” by the blood on his face. While he was still bleeding, he even asked Ackley if he wanted to play Canasta. While this was going on, he even put his red hat back on. It is as if he was proud to survive that punch. Later on, Holden talks about James Castle, who killed himself after being abused by seven students after insulting one of them. Mr. Antolini, who “didn’t even give a damn if his coat got all bloody”, would end up picking up James. The blood shed by James and Holden occurred after violence arising from statements: James was criticizing someone while Holden was asking a question. Even though Holden struck first, the display of blood implies pride after persecution. The blood was a visualization of the pain suffered, and the decision to “wear” this blood displays how these characters are not going to hide the suffering they encountered.
-Maxwell Bauer
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ReplyDeleteThe red hunting hat is one of the first things described by Holden and can symbolize multiple things. It's very ironic when Holden wears the red hat because it is during the times he doesn't want to be seen or disturbed, and his hat stands out. Also, it may serve to symbolize comfort and protection as it is a form of coverage from the cold, but may also protect Holden from judgement as he repeatedly says he doesn't care who sees him wearing it as he puts it on. The hat being a hunting hat may seem that Holden may be hunting for something. The color red is seen in Allie's hair and can be a sign of innocence, which Holden believes Allie was the least tempered one in the family.
ReplyDeleteHolden's broken hand was a result of his fit of anger after his brother Allie died. This is significant because physically Holden can't make a strong fist, but also a fist can symbolize aggression and violence, which may mean his motives to violence and aggression have been broken after the death of Allie.
I believe the ducks are also another symbol referring to Allie. In migration the ducks would come and go according to the seasons. But Holden is oblivious to the concept of migration, and same can be said of his perception of Allie's death. Holden does not know why Allie's had to leave him and Holden holds onto the memories of Allie, and like the ducks coming back after winter Holden wishes that Allie may comeback.
The red hunting hat is seen throughout the novel when he decides to put it on and i believe it shows his uniqueness and how he is not the same as every other teenager in America. He is rebellious but at the same time he cares about what other think of him because he does not wear his hat all the time only in certain places. Holden wants to stand out because he does not want to be like a phone, like most teenagers. Additionally, I believe his hurt hand is a symbol of the pain he still feels even years after Allie's death and that he cannot accept his death yet. And I believe this is because he remembers Allie overtime he feels pain in his hand. Finally, I believe the ducks represent Holden because he is always asking where the ducks go in the winter and I think he asks this question more than once because he does not know where he should go or what he should do this winter now that he has been kicked out of another school.
ReplyDelete-Dariana Nieves
ReplyDeleteThe red hat is a clear representation of his individuality, the hunting hat seems to be the only object he finds comforting while in a school where he feels he doesn’t fit in and away from home. In the previous comments many of my peers suggest that the wears the red hat confidently however I view it differently. The red hat allows Holden to have some sense of individuality and clarity when surrounded by so many deficiencies in his life but he clearly wears the hat only when he is alone. As soon as Ackley walks in on him he immediately removes the hat. Holden is clearly does not feel comfortable being himself and expressing the individuality the hat brings out in him in front of his friends or out in public. Ironically Holden claims to not enjoy anyone’s presence at Pencey Prep due to the lack honesty of who someone really is inside and out. Holden is doing the exact same thing he suggest it irritating. Again the theme of alienation remains relevant, he is alone in a room wearing a hunting that is red, it seems that Holden feels he has nothing better to do or has no real friends. As for the color red, red usually obtains a negative connotation. Whenever our narrator makes the reader envision red it is when in a damaging situation.
-Natalie Aguilar
In my opinion I believe that the red hunting hat represents uniqueness and individuality. Holden has attended all these prep school that act and dress preppy, his use of the red hunting hat represent his conflict with the preppy style and wants to show that he does not belong there. I realized that throughout the book Holden only wear the red hunting hat in times of frustration, anger, or loneliness. When we learn that Holden broke his hand when his brother died and his hand never got better, I feel that it is a representation of how he feels, ever since his brother died he feels broken and getting better but not completely. I feel that Holden's curiosity of where the ducks go is a representation of his fear of leaving and start being part of adulthood.
ReplyDelete-Briana Nieves
In regards to the hat he explained that usual hunting hats are meant for hunting animals but he explains that his hunting hat is meant for hunting humans which confuses me even more because when I try to tie in when he wears his hunting hat to why he wears his hunting hat all I get is he wears his hunting hat when he's around people he doesn't like but this is not the case when he is around people he like or doesn't like. To me the hat is confusing but an interesting addition to the story.
ReplyDeleteThe color red to me appears often in the story and I think of it as interesting times in Holden's life. He points out that he had a bloody hand after punching windows after Allie died. He wears a red hunting hat when to hunt humans, and he gets a bloody face after getting punched by stradlater and he wouldn't have mentioned the red story parts if they weren't interesting since he seems to dislike non-interesting events.
What I think about his bloody hand as a symbol is a pain that has been with him since Allie died. Allie was his best friend/brother and he really enjoyed his company. However when he died, his best friend/brother disappeared and felt really sad as if that "hole" in his chest appeared and after he punched out all the windows he could never form a proper fist. Well the two coincide as a symbol that when he lost his brother he lost his ability to form a fist. This means that his inability to form a fist will always remind him of his brother.
The ducks seem like an essential part to the story to me even though they don't really seem to fit in to much besides Holden's curiosity. I feel the ducks symbolize Holden's curiosity with other people of why they do certain things, and he never really finds about why they do it.
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ReplyDeleteFrom the first time Holden mentioned his red hunting hat (pg 24) several references have been made to when he puts it on. The occasion in which it caught my attention the most was in the fight with Stradlater. In this scene it was evident the color red was symbolizing deep-rooted anger, hatred, and violence when Holden mentioned the blood. The color red is very alarming, and i noticed that when Holden realized that "his face was all red" (pg 56) he proceeded to make it even redder until that color took the form of blood on his own face. What was even more peculiar was the fact that after Stradlater left he searched for his hunting hat and put it on.
ReplyDeletePrior to the fight, Holden had mentioned that he was unable to make a fist ever since he broke his hand, and when he threw a punch at Stradlater he missed terribly. To me, his broken hand and shaky fist are a symbol of his own broken spirit. This was later confirmed to me when he went to Ackley's room where he mentioned he almost wished he was dead. Perhaps by putting on the hunting hat he chooses to impersonate a hunter. Someone who, unlike him, is able to go out and fight. The fact that he chooses to put in on immediately after he has lost his second fight and then refuses to stop the blood from his wound reveal how much he desires to be tough, a hunter, and not a pacifist.
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ReplyDeleteThe narrator states, “I put on this hat that I’d bought in New York that morning. It was this red hunting hat, with one of those very, very long peaks. I saw it in the window of this sports store when we got out of the subway, just after I noticed I'd lost all the goddam foils. It only cost me a buck. The way I wore it, I swung the old peak way around to the back—very corny, I'll admit, but I liked it that way. I looked good in it that way…” (3). I believe that the hat is a symbol of his individuality and diversity amongst other people. The hat stands out, and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him. It is worth noting that the hat’s color, red, is the same as that of Allie’s and Phoebe’s, Holden’s younger siblings, hair. Conceivably the color red symbolizes the anger and emotion he is feeling. Notably, the color red is described most during times of when he feels the most hatred and violence for things, such as Allie’s, Holden’s younger brother who died of Leukemia, red hair, or the red blood for when he got punched in the face.
ReplyDeleteGoing off with Holden’s broken hand, caused by his actions due to his brother’s passing, symbolizes his form of grief. Holden says, “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddamn windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. I even tried to break all the windows on the station wagon we had that summer, but my hand was already broken and everything by that time, and I couldn’t do it. It was a very stupid thing to do, I’ll admit, but I hardly didn’t even know I was doing it, and you didn’t know Allie. My hand still hurts me once in a while, when it rains and all, and I can’t make a real fist any more- not a tight one, I mean- but outside of that I don’t care much” (44). This portrays the relationship he had with Allie, and that his fist reminds him of the night he died. By saying “…I can’t make a real fist any more…” he’s basically saying that things will never be the same with Allie gone. The feeling’s come and go and he thinks of him sometimes but then he states, “but outside of that I don’t care much” which can show denial of his anger and emotions.
Holden’s red hunting hat was called by another person as a type of hat that would be worn during the winter or rather when one is out hunting. Therefore, the hat is outlandish and is symbolic in that it represents Holden as he also struggles with being outlandish or in this case unique. It was also the color of Allie’s (younger brother) hair which he seems to have had a fond relationship when he was still alive. He cherishes the moments he spent with his brother due to the fact that he is always reminiscing. Maybe this was Caulfield’s way of feeling a sense of connection to his brother even when he is gone. It serves as a “grounder to reality” for Holden and I find this to be quite beautiful in its own way whether intentional or not. I figured that Holden wore it backwards during his early encounter with Ackley, who I believe it was, because he said he liked to horse around when he got bored and he also liked to annoy Ackley and that Ackley brought out the sadist in him. Is he ahead of his time? Well I don’t see him being ahead of his time so much, just being out of phase within his own time. I picture Caulfield as this 3rd dimensional being who struggles to live in the world where he is a child and the world in which he is an adult. It’s his transitioning state that he struggles to find himself out of. I think he just wants to be different when he wears his hat backwards, not because he is ahead of his time. Like I said in my previous entries, he is a rebellious teen.
ReplyDeleteNear the end I began to understand the connection to his seemingly silly question that he would often ask the taxicab drivers. He was always wondering if they knew where the ducks in the pond went to or even how they left when winter came and froze over the pond. The connection ties back to his late brother Allie who had died from Leukemia. He wonders why they had disappeared without much notice, a detail that can be easily overlooked. I think this part is so very important because Holden realizes that although they may vanish in the winter that they return every spring. This helps Holden to realize that change isn’t permanent.
-Antonio Robledo
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ReplyDeleteAlong with many of my peers I believe that Holden's red hunting hat is a strong symbol of individuality and self-confidence. The hat in itself is very unique: it was bright red with a very long peak, and its eccentric appearance even managed to steal a few long glances from Ackley and Stradlater. At the time, teenagers did not play a major part in society and were viewed, for the most part, as very similar. Holden's dissatisfaction with being categorized with the "phonies" of his age may be one of the possible motives that drive him in wearing the hat. No doubt, Holden wears the red hunting hat in order to feel unique and different from those around him. In addition, the "rebellious teenager" persona that Holden adopts throughout the novel is mirrored in the way he wears the hunting hat.
DeleteIt is also evident that the hat brings Holden a sense of self-confidence. The moments in which we see Holden wearing the hat are extremely vital to his development as a character. The hat's initial appearance occurs shortly after Holden leaves the fencing equipment on the subway. The entire fencing team was disappointed in Holden, but once he gets hold of the hat, he immediately gains a sense of confidence and is no longer strongly preoccupied with his mistake. Holden also explicitly states that, "The way I wore it, I swung old peak way around to the back – very corny, I'll admit, but I liked it that way. I looked good in it that way" (Salinger 21), demonstrating that he finds confidence in himself and his appearance while wearing the hat. We also see Holden with the hat when he confronts Stradlater about his date with Jane. Knowing that Stradlater "was a very strong guy" and that he was "a very weak guy" (Salinger 35), Holden still confronted him. All three of these events, despite the vulnerability that Holden experiences, demonstrate that he feels secure and confident while in the presence of the red hunting hat. As for the color of the hunting hat, it is important to note that it is the same color as Allie's hair. Another possible reason that Holden wears the hat so often is because it reminds him of the innocence of his childhood when Allie was present.
Similarly, Holden's broken hand that was caused by his response of his brother's death may be a symbol of a loss of innocence, and the pain and long term responsibility that it may bear on an individual.
Regarding the symbol of the ducks in the pond, I along with my peers believe that Holden's interest in them is a reflection of his more child-like personality. Only a child would take the time to think about what happens to the ducks during the winter. On the other hand, an adult is too preoccupied with everyday hassles to notice them.
-Nicole Isabelle
Holden's red hunting cap can be defined as a symbol of his unique qualities. There are few people I can relate Holden back to and although he can show typical teenager tendencies, he is a species of his own. His rowdy personality can only be matched with a symbolic piece of clothing. The red color of his hat can be interpreted to be the frustration he feels and the detached feelings he seems to hold because of the traumatic events surrounding the death of his brother's passing. Along these lines, his bloody hands can also be traced to the hurt he has experienced through the passing of a loved one and could also be a symbol of the red hair of his brother as a reminder.
ReplyDeleteTo address the ducks, I agree with some of my peers that they are a symbol of youth and innocence. As chaotic as life may be, it was a nice touch of looking back into his childhood and his fear of becoming an adult.
-Camille Taylor
As stated above from my many peers I do agree that Holden’s red hunting hat represents his individuality. He is on this small journey independent from his parents, education with all the possibilities form the bustling big city. I also suspect that since his his family is from upper class society the informalities brought along from the red hat is like a break from his preppy and high-strung life. The red hat is a symbolizes he doesn't want to be the same as his family, or rather he believes he was meant for another life. We must also analyze where he first introduced the red hat. He got it after losing all of the fencing gear in the subways, and even though this may not seem important it shows Holden’s desperation and loneliness at the time. This is also another symbolistic point brought up by my peers,that Holden uses his hat in desperation or when he feels like a loner.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Holden's broken hand I believe that he breaks it because of his initial anger and mixed emotion after Allie first passes away. It is normal for someone to have passion feelings and regrets when they are mourning. However, I believe that Salinger uses Holden's hand as an object of symbolism. The broken hand that never quite recovers is a mirrored effect on Holden on a cognitive level. In other words, Holden never mentally recovers just like his hand never fully heals; there is always a constant reminder of the pain and instability.
As for the ducks I have come to agree with many of my peers. I've concluded that the ducks are a symbol of Holden’s remaining wholesomeness and curiosity.Throughout the novel there seems to be a lingering or loosening grasp of innocence, by having the ducks he is able to hold on to the innocence with his childlike imagery. It could also symbolize Holden's history with private schools; just like the ducks, Holden leaves but eventually come back.
-Caitlin Jensen
I agree with my fellow peers that the red hat symbolizes Holden's uniqueness and his sense of individuality. The color red makes him stand out even more and not only through appearance but with actions too. People who spoke to him about the hat didn't necessarily compliment him but rather questioned why he owns it. Holden didn't need society's approval for him to wear what he wanted and how he wanted to considering he wore the hat backwards. It represents his individuality where he doesn't follow traditions but he creates his own methods. Leading up to this time period showing that he is ahead of his own time. He was not a hunter nor did he think the hat looked good on him but he liked it therefore, he chose to wear the hat and that was Holden acting on his beliefs. I have noticed that the color red appears in the story most when something eventful happens in Holden's life.
ReplyDeleteAnother symbolic figure in the novel is his brother, Allie's death when Holden punched out the windows and permanently damaged his hand. To me, his broken hand symbolizes the amount of pain he can never bear to express but his hand explains it all. How the damage to his hand will never be fixed exactly how the pain will remain the same because his brother is gone for good. It is a constant reminder that things have changed and will never be the same again without his brother but everyone has to move on at some point. Holden doesn't have the capability to fully move on just like how his hand can't fully make a fist and it's a reminder everyday.
Holden constantly wonders where the ducks have gone in the winter symbolizing that he hasn't entirely accepted the fact that things have changed. He's looking back at them for reminders that some things may still remain the same. It's his comfort when things are changing and the memory of the ducks remind him of the past.
-Alessandra Gatchalian
As many of my peers before me have states, the striking color of red signifies Holden desire to be unique and it reflects how uncommon a cynical main character is in literature. While many anti-heroes do exist, authors generally favor the morally just and selfless protagonists. The color red also expresses power and confidence. Red is eye catching; it is proud. It demonstrates both the moments where Holden is confident in himself and unafraid as well as the times where he feels as if he needs a confidence boost. Holden's red hat helps him feel significant and unique, characteristics that are oftentimes desired by teenagers facing indecisiveness. This hat allows him to express himself as creates an outlet for a him even if he is normally a cynical person.
ReplyDeleteAs for his physical disability, it reflects the permanence of Allie's death on both his physical and mental health. Not only does he suffer from sadness and loss of innocence over the death, Holden has a physical reminder of his loss with him at all times. This injury will most likely haunt him for the rest of his life as a grim reminder that the damage done to him is irrevocable.
The ducks, however, symbolize the innateness of animal nature. While Holden ponders upon what the ducks will do during hard conditions, the ducks already know what their course of action is to be. As they are of the avian family, ducks are on constant lookout and constantly aware of their surroundings. They flow with what nature throws at them with grace and a high level of preparation. Their keen nature is something that Holden is unaware of as he seems to place a lot of effort on something that does not directly affect him. Perhaps his strange interest in the ducks is a method of ignoring his current problems.
-Bisheshata Basnet
I believe just as most of my peers have asserted that Holden curiosity includes a wide value of juxtaposition to his cynical behavior. I would love to add that one of the most confussing and possibly trilling thing is the situation of enquring what would happen after his great and also happy reunion he had with his family. I had so many questions to ask which I belive ater going further into the book help me to answer. going to the issue of the hat when holden first mentioned the hat after his conversation with spencer I agree with the aforementioned comments that the hat could possibly stand a s a sentimental value to represent something tragic. however further in the chapyer holden claims that his hat is a people shooting hat.also this hat had the key to possible having to do with the critisim that holden offered people.
ReplyDeleteI think a correlation exsist with the color red on his hat matches with the event of someone punching the wall. just like holden what I picked up from page 80 down Is that theres a time in life we must all realize we are aere and must return to that form of life just like the ducks he explained they how they left for winter. also the hat could stand as an aspect of being a protective shield and coukd be reinacted as a consolidation and a leading symbol in the book.
I believe that Holden's red hunting hat represents a type of safety blanket for Holden. This is because whenever Holden is seen putting the hat on is is during a time when he is going through something painful. For example after Holden's fight with Stradlater it says "I kept sitting there on the floor till I heard old Stradlater close the door and go down the corridor to the can. The I got up. I couldn't find my goddam hunting hat anywhere. Finally I found it. It was under the bed. I put it on, and turned the old peak around to the back, the way I liked it"(Salinger 45). As for why the hunting hat is red, I believe it is because it reminded Holden of his little brothers red hair, while the way he wares it represents is rebellious nature.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Holden's hand that he broke after his brother died symbolizes the physical and mental scaring the Holden has due to losing his little brother to leukemia.
Holden, like many of us teenagers, tries to show his individuality through his physical appearance. The red hunting hat has a sentimental meaning in this book as we see Holden wearing it as he explores New York City. This almost ridiculous piece of clothing shows the Holden's attempt to differentiate himself from society. For example, if a kid were to wear a this same red hunting hat in school, it would bat a lot of eyes as his choice of style would be unique. This hat often symbolizes that Holden himself is not your typical kid, and we can see that through the situations he comes across, his connection with the outside world is not at all "normal."
ReplyDeleteI actually did not notice the symbolism of the color red throughout the novel, but now that you point it out, it seems to be a matter worth pointing out. As you said in your previous post, JD Salinger was too in mental care after his bouts in WWII. This symbolism of the color red may be his attempt to reveal that color's meaningfulness. Maybe his experiences in war may have caused a PTSD towards the color red as it can be found on a Nazi insignia or the blood of his comrades. Whatever it may be, the color red does play an important role in the story and is seen to be listed during rather "intense" turning points in the protagonists life and attitude which could be the same with Salinger.
I think the meaning behind Holden's broken hand most likely has to do with the fact of his brother Baseball mitt as well. Concerning which hand he had broken and which hand the mitt fits into, the correlation could be that whenever he puts on his brother's mitt or makes a fist, it does not the feel the same. Many times when we lose a person in our life that had much impact, our life as we know it does not feel the same, which is why Holden's hand carries an importance.
I think Holden's question as to "where do the ducks go during the winter" is very symbolic as a reader can often relate that question to the protagonist himself. Here we see Holden, in the middle of New York City during the winter with still no where to go. Leaving Pencey and often exiting hotels, we never see Holden actually taking a place of his own to call "home" for the mean time. Just like the Ducks who may have no where to go in the winter, we see Holden trying to find a place to feel at home too which is why this question can be rather ironic.
Red is a color that is vibrant and stands out among other colors. Holden's red hunting hat could be a representation of his individuality and uniqueness among his peers at Pencey who all conform to the standards of society. It could also represent his intense feelings about his peers or maybe even his anger about the death of brother. I also agree with the points that Nathan brought up that the color red being used throughout the novel could be turning points in Holden's life.
ReplyDeleteHis broken that he could not quite form a fist at all symbolizes the death of his brother, Allie. While it represents the sorrow and anger that he felt towards Allie's death, the fact that he could not form a fist at all even up to this day symbolizes that he never fully coped with the incident. A death of a family member can be deeply scarring towards a person and Holden never fully recovered from the unfortunate death of his brother.
Marie Manipud
Throughout the novel, Salinger makes many symbols apparent to the reader. Because Holden only wears his hat at certain times means that there has to be a reason behind it. He shares with us that he enjoys wearing his hat backwards. A hat being worn backwards is associated with a catcher in baseball or, in Holden's case, being the catcher in the rye. After analyzing even further, it becomes apparent that what Holden means by this is that he is seeking to save children from adulthood and is attempting to save their innocence. He wants to save those who still have their innocence from falling off the cliff to adulthood.
ReplyDeleteLike my peers, I believe that Holden's hat is red to represent his individuality. If it were a common color that did not make him stand out he might be afraid he would be seen as a phony. At the end of the novel, Holden is with Pheobe at the carousel it begins to rain and she put it on his head to protect him from the rain. I saw this as a symbol that his hat was his shield from adulthood. The rain symbolized all the ideas that people were placing in his head of becoming an adult and maturing, but his hat shielded him from that and allowed him to keep his innocence. In addition, Holden acted out of anger when he punched the window in his garage. Holden's broken hand is a memory of Allie and the traumatic experience that came with it. Salinger does this to show that when a family member is lost, loved ones are constantly reminded.
-Mat Fernandez
DeleteOne of the main symbols that stood out to me the most was that of the red hunter hat. At that time, a hunter hat was not something that the common preppy student would wear. Since no one else wears it, the hat represents his uniqueness as he is different from everyone else, but can also highlight that he can be an outcast as well.
ReplyDeleteJust like my peers have mentioned, I also believe that Holdem's broken hands symbolizes the mourn that he has over his brother that passed away. By breaking the window after his brother's death, he leaves a lifelong wound as he is not able to close his hand to make it into a fist, which can mean that he sees this as a way to always remember his dead brother.
-Jorge Tejeda
The significance of the the red hunting hat is his uniqueness to everyone else, it makes him different or a rebel. This is prevelant through out the novel. He constantly taking off the hunting hat, I believe this is because at times Caulfield wants to fit in with others around him despite his unique personality. I also believe his hunting hat serves are something to protect him. Whether it is the cold or his innocence from the outside world. This is similar to little children in that they have item to protect them, like stuffed toys and blankets. It is ironic the the hat his owns is for hunting yet it is protecting his innocence. I feel the red symbolizes his brother Allie, like Mr. Rodriguez' he had red hair just like Holden's hat. Like what other peers stated Holden could never let go of his brother's passing. And so as a way of remembering his brother he carries around his red hunting hat.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ducks, I believe it also has to do with his brother Allie. As discusses before, he can not get over the fact that his brother is gone. Just like the ducks his cannot comprehend why they suddenly disappear during the winter. He thinks that maybe Allie will come back just like the the ducks come back after every winter.
-Kyle Elecanal
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my peers that Holden's red hat represents a sort of originality and individuality that he has. Red is a bright color, especially when seen against the cold environment the story takes place in. Holden mentions that he only bought it for a dollar, which I assume is considered cheap during that time. It seems very unlikely for a preppy boy to buy something that is so cheap and doesn't belong to a name brand, so it also can represent how different he is from the other boys. Holden wears his hat backwards because it is something that most boys would not do with their hats. It acts as a sign of rebellion against society and typical people during that time.
ReplyDeleteHolden's broke hand symbolizes the mental scars that his brother's death has brought upon him. He damaged his hand in what seemed like an emotional breakdown in response to his brother's death. It is now permanently damaged and most likely serves as a constant reminder of his brothers death. The fact that it could never fully heal could symbolize how he would never get over his brother's death. This is also supported by the fact that Holden frequently mentions his deceased brother throughout the book.
I am not completely sure what the significance of the ducks are but based on my peer's responses, they may have something to do with Holden looking back on his past life of youth and innocence before he finally becomes an adult.
Emily Chan
I believe that all the red in this story represents Holden's individuality in the society he is placed in. His red hunting hat represents his rigor and tough exterior and the way he wears it shows that he is not one to conform. His hat is what really makes him unique because he is way ahead of his time and wants to be his own individual person and not some "phony".
ReplyDeleteThroughout the course of this novel, Holden relentlessly asks where the ducks go during the winter when they leave the lake. I believe that this really shows that Holden is still an immature child expressing his curiosity towards nature. I also believe that these ducks may represent the life that Holden lives in, being isolated from everyone else.
Like any other author good author, Salinger employs symbolism to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind. While there are many examples of symbolism in this novel, the most memorable symbol is Holden’s red hunting hat. Like many of my peers, I can fully agree that Holden’s hat represents individuality and uniqueness. The hat is a bright red color which makes Holden outlandish, and “one of a kind”. However, I also think that the hat serves as Holden’s “safety blanket”. I mention this because time after time Holden puts on his hat to comfort himself. He said “I put in this red hunting hat that I’d bought that morning…at a sport store right after I lost those foils.” And “I pulled the peak of my red hunting hat around to the front all of a sudden…I was getting all nervous all of a sudden. I’m quite a nervous guy.” Both of these quotes stress the notion that Holden’s hat is his safety device in situations where he feels disappointment and uncomfortable. He wore his hat right after disappointing the fencing team by forgetting the foils in the train, and he wore his hat when he was nervous, perhaps to feel protected. Along with the importance of the hat, the color of the hat; red is another major symbol. Mr. Rodriguez, noted that red usually embodies violence, blood, and anger. However, the color red in “The Catcher in the Rye” has a polar opposite symbol to violence, blood, or anger. Red, in this novel represents innocence and purity. I came to this conclusion after I analyzed Holden’s description of his deceased younger brother, which he was very fond of and believed he was innocent and infallible. Holden described Allie as a kid with “fiery red hair”, which is the same color of Holden’s hunting hat. Furthermore, Salinger utilized Holden’s broken hand to depict his distress and grieve towards Allie’s death. After fighting straddle, Holden reveals that he can no longer make a full fist. This long term effect symbolizes Holden’s incapability to move forward his brother death and, perhaps, like Brandon Sanchez mentioned, it may symbolize all of Holden’s damage he himself has suffered. Finally, the ducks in the central park lagoon, symbolize Holden’s struggle with change and growing up. As Holden desires an unchanging world, the ducks teach him that one must adapt to their ever changing to survive. The ducks must migrate to escape the brutal winter of NYC as it makes their environment inhospitable. I believe the ducks help Holden come to the realization that change is necessary, as evidence by the ducks coming back after the lagoon unfreezes. The fact that Holden repeatedly mentions the ducks throughout the novel, showed his curiosity towards life.
ReplyDeleteI may not be right about this, but throughout the novel, Holden asks where the ducks are. The ducks are in the pond in a place where there really shouldn't even be a pond. In the same way, New York City in this time is regarded to be a place of bustling activity, a place where a lot of "phonies" seem to reside, but Holden continuously attempts to contact them, hang out with them. I guess what my question is, is do the ducks represent his desire to find realness amongst all the phonies, or are they just another way to distinguish himself from all of the fake people he has encountered in his life?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the red hunting hat keeps him from the real world. Holden does not like the real world that much, it is too complex for him, therefore he masks himself with a hat to cover himself from a world full of unknown. Also, he does not wear it around people that he knows, he takes it off as soon as he meets with people that he knows; maybe he uses the hat to also protect himself from society. He wants to stand out, and red is the perfect color to use to get someone's attention. It can be interpreted in so many ways, it can be seen as anger, love, pain, very strong emotions that stands out among people. He wants people to see him, thus the color red. He does not wear it around people that know him because they already know him, but as soon as he breaks away, he puts it on; its like a siren that telling people to be aware of him. The color red is significant because of, like you said, his sibling's hair color and the color of his bloody nose, the color red is everywhere in this novel.
ReplyDeleteHis broken hand, on the other hand, is a symbol implying that things cannot be brought back, things that are broken can heal, but it will never be the same. The memory of his younger brother will always be with him because that is the reason why he broke his hand in the first place. Maybe it also symbolizes his mentality, it was broken by the death of his brother. His mentality about innocence; how can someone be stripped away from their innocent at a young age? He will never know. Maybe that is why he does not want to mature. He just wants his youth to last, so that he could be with his brother forever. His brother never got to experience adult life, therefore, he should not either. It broke his mentality about growing up, his brother's death.
Finally, the ducks, he is scared of change. He is scared that the ducks will not come back, in other words, he is terrified of abandonment. And as he sees the water on the lake, both frozen and not at the same time, it shows that the world is not only in black in white. I do not know if Holden realizes that, he always viewed everything in a black and white view, but this pond showed that there is also in between; that something can be hot and cold at the same time.
- Jemima Subaran
Holden's silly red hunting cap. At the time it was a silly article of clothing that set itself apart from other clothes. For it was completely different towards "normal" clothes for the time. As explained in blog post 1 most people generallly wore the same types of clothes however this was not apart of the normal style of clothes that most people wore. So what we must realize is that this hat, this simple red hunting hat is a massive symbol to the motif and them of the entire novel. It is alienation, rebellion, and individuality. As you see this hat represents Holden himself. For he is different from the rest of the pack, Holden doesnt want to be apart of everyone he is seperate. Holden signifies these feelings to society through that hat. It is sort of a beacon of rebellion/individuality. Another piece of symbolism that lies in this novel is the color red. the color red shows up quite often throughout the novel and it is used to signify the pain that Holden has gone through both physically through the blood from his face after the fight with Stradlater, or his brothers hair for the pain of losing his beloved brother or emotionally by the pain of being alone and set apart form everyone else having no one else standing with him.Another thing that symbolizes the pain that Holden has gone through is his broken hand for it is a constant reminder for his loss of his brother. As for the question and the common recurrence of the question of where the ducks go I am baffled to why he asks it but i can assume it may lie under the similar themes of alienation or individuality.
ReplyDeleteHolden not being able to clench his hand in a fist could be a symbol for the fact that the past still scars him. When people say the past has scarred them, they mean in a psychological way, but Holden's hand injury could be a literal representation, in that he is unable to let go of Allie's death.
ReplyDeleteThe duck question could also be a form of symmetry. Holden frequently asks where do the ducks go when the lake has frozen. I believe this could be a metaphor for the concern about the uncertainty of the future. Holden is wondering where do the ducks go as they have no place to go, and the ducks could be a symbol for Holden.