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Symbolisim in The Catcher in the Rye


            Songs, movies, and other forms of media all influence people in their daily lives'. The way that people perceive the messages and information conveyed in these pieces are how they choose to interpret them. What they represent to someone can only result in a temporary change, but also a lasting effect. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses the symbol of the Little Shirley Beans record to reveal that the loss of one's innocence gives one a newfound sense of reality. This revelation develops from the record's underlying message, the event of the record breaking, and Phoebe's handling of the record.
             Holden becomes more aware of reality because of the Little Shirley Beans record's underlying message.When Holden first hears the record at his school, he finds it appealing and intently analyzes it. He is fascinated by the singer, Estelle Fletcher, and explains,"If a white girl was singing it, she'd make it sound cute as hell, but old Estelle Fletcher knew what the hell she was doing, and it was one of the best records I ever heard" (Salinger 62). Describing Fletcher in both sexual and racial context, Holden shows that she is mature by staying true to who she is and the actuality of growing up. He thinks highly of her because of this, and implies this when comparing her to the "mushy" or dishonest view a white singer may have. He continues to describe the plot like so, "It was about a little kid that wouldn't go out of the house because two of her front teeth were out and she was ashamed to" (Salinger 62). Holden relates to the storyline because it is about the struggles of growing up, and the uncomfortable feeling it brings on as well. The record freezes the memories of innocence and childhood for him because of this. His intentions to give his younger sister, Phoebe, the record suggest he is trying to influence her to develop respect and appreciation for her youth. These intentions reveal that Holden has regret for growing up too quickly, but did not realize this until after he has broken away from this pureness.


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