Salinger tells a very original story and provides a unique perspective of a teenager's life. It has strong motifs and theme, but it lacks a climax and interesting plot. It is definitely an important book in society and one that people should experience reading. .
The author uses Holden's hunting hat very well as a symbol. It symbolises Holden's rebellious personality because of how ridiculous it looks. "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. " (pg 17) It exemplifies how Holden is rebellious and doesn't conform to social rules. At the same time the hat symbolises the few things in life that Holden actually does, such as Allie and Phoebe. He gives his hat to Allie when he sees her even though the hat meant a lot to him, and he mentioned it quite often at various points in the book.
Holden wondering about where the ducks go during winter nicely symbolises innocence. This reminds the reader that Holden is afterall a child. Throughout the book he tried acting all tough and pretended that he was already an adult, but the simple fact that he kept wondering where the ducks in NYC go when the lake is frozen over proves otherwise. He asks his cab driver, "You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when its gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know, by any chance?". (pg 49) It seems like a random and childish thing to ask, but it fits Holden's character quite well because he has random thoughts all the time. This whole book is about this boy trying to discover who he really is and what he wants to do with his life. He is in a very awkward stage between being a child and an adult. It almost feels like he is trying to fight becoming an adult and him asking this question symbolises that holding on to innocence motif very well.
