What Does The Red Hunting Hat Symbolize

Semantics of Symbolism

Depression is an invisible illnesses of the brain; not noticeable to the to the outside word, but so overwhelmingly present in one’s mind attacking them from the inside out. Chemical imbalances cause feelings of low self esteem, panic, depression and even physical pain. Coping mechanisms like medication, meditation, exercise, etc. are used to combat the effects of this illness. But what will actually work? How does someone fix something that's ‘not there’? J.D. Salinger, the author of The Catcher In The Rye, tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a troubled boy haunted by his own demons who escapes to New York after failing out of his fourth school. Holden wanders around the city, with no place to stay, no one to talk

Throughout the book, Holden uses many unconventional ways to make a connection with others. Holden’s red hunting hat helps to develop this theme through his connection with his deceased brother Allie. Growing up, Holden’s brother Allie was his best friend. At 11 years old, Allie died of leukemia, devastating his family. In times of stress, Holden reaches out to his brother to look for support while in New York. The red hunting hat reminds Holden of his brother because of its bright red color that matched Allie’s fiery red hair. Although Holden has a hard time connecting to others, he can always rely on the red hunting hat to remind him of his brother and make him feel less alone. The ducks in Central Park help to develop the theme of connection with others by providing a topic of conversation for Holden and the cab driver during one of Holden’s lowest points in the book. While in the cab, Holden asks his driver: “‘you know those ducks in the lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know, by any chance?’” (60). This interaction was one of the first Holden had in New York after he left his boarding school. Holden’s repetition in the question shows his weakened mental state and how desperate he is to talk to someone. The catcher in the rye helps to

The ducks in Central Park help develop the theme of the painfulness of becoming an adult by showing us how difficult it is for Holden to make adult decisions. Holden is using the ducks in Central Park as a metaphor for himself. During the winter time ducks migrate to South when the winter season in New York City is too harsh for them. In this transition period where Holden is alone in New York he has no direction, and no parent or adult to tell him where to go or be. He is, for the first time, needing to make decisions on where to go in this adult world. Holden is in the winter of his life, and his old school Pencey Prep is the frozen over lake, but unlike the duck Holden has no destination. Holden “wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if [the ducks] just flew away.” (13) This is Holden calling out for direction and hoping someone will taking him away. When he arrives in New York Holden asks his cab driver, "You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South?...By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over?" (61) Despite its unconventional nature, this is Holden’s way of asking for directions. The cab driver job is to drive others people to where they are supposed to be, and Holden hopes he can tell him where he is supposed to go. His world