Catcher In The Rye Symbolism Analysis

Symbolism is the use of objects or people for a different idea or meaning. These can be inanimate objects, people, animals, or even ideas, and they can be used for many purposes. Symbolism is often subtle; it can be difficult to see without careful attention, and J. D. Salinger sneaks it in The Catcher in the Rye without making it obvious. He often portrays Holden’s thoughts in symbolism, without writing them word for word on the page. J. D. Salinger makes use of symbols in The Catcher in the Rye in order to convey Holden's desire to protect and prolong innocence in himself and others.

Throughout the book, Holden is depressed and has very few things he enjoys, but what he really wants to do is become the catcher in the rye. When he talks to his little sister Phoebe, he reiterates the fact that he’d “just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing that I’d really like to be,” and he’s telling the truth (225). Holden complains all the time, about how phony people are, or how he feels like he is the only normal one. He never gives a compliment, or even smiles for the majority of the book. But when he finally talks to someone he enjoys, he realizes what he wants to do: prohibit phoniness from

He stays near those with innocence, and separates himself from those who don’t have it. If you are not innocent, you must be phony, and virtually unworthy and useless to Holden. Jane, Phoebe, Holden’s red hunting hat, and above all, his catcher in the rye metaphor, all represent the innocence that Holden desires every moment of his life so far. But unfortunately for Holden, he sees so many more people as phony than as innocent, giving him a horrible nasty outlook on the world. This is why he’s so depressed all the time, because he seems to have nobody in his own shoes. He thinks innocence is hard to come by, but he’s desperate to get it, because innocence is Holden’s true