... way - when he is in this cynical frame of mind; he expends all of his mental energy making fun of the people around him. This also shows that Holden uses the hat as a mark of individuality and independence against others. The red hunting hat is one of the most famous literary symbols from the twentieth century. The Natural History museum has a deeper meaning in Catcher in the Rye than what the words say. Holden says the symbolic meaning of the museum's displays - they ... appeal to him because they are frozen and unchanging. This shows that Holden is inevitably changing and he wants to ...

• Word Count: 619
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... a contrast between the appearance and the subtler meaning of an element. The novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," by J. D. Salinger, is the story of Holden Caulfield, an individual amid the conformity of the 1950s, who struggles to find his place in the world. J. D. Salinger uses symbols such as a broken record, a half-frozen pond devoid of ducks, and a checkerboard to reveal insights into Holden's motivations and character. In the novel, the broken record is a symbol for Holden's fear of the loss of childhood innocence and ... 's character and motivations. The broken record represents the f...

• Word Count: 1298
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School