“It was this red hunting hat, with one of those very, very
long peaks” (17).
Background: Holden is
describing the hat he buys in New York after he loses the fencing foils.
Symbolism: He puts the hat
on to read; suggesting he wears it as protection from the outside world. He
also wears it around Ackley, and Stradlater, probably because he feels
comfortable around them.
Motif: The hat provides
security for Holden, and repeats throughout the story making it a motif. He
often wears it with the “peak around to the front” to further withdraw from
society.
Theme: This quote addresses
the theme of children growing up too soon, and Holden’s belief that he can
protect himself from aging.
Life Connection: In life,
many teenagers and adults have items that provide them with security and make
them feel safe.
“I never did find out what was the matter. Some girls you
practically never find out what’s the matter” (79).
Holden is
talking about Jane crying at the appearance of her step father one day during
the previous summer. This quote addresses the theme of innocence in the novel,
by Holden expressing he does not understand much about the opposite sex. This
can connect to his noticing how she keeps her kings in the back row. This could
be a symbol of her putting up a wall and not actually be as willing to be as
close to Holden as he thinks she is. This is a motif in the story because he
brings up playing checkers with Jane many times. In life we, as humans, often
guard our inner most feelings and emotions from the people around us. We
sometimes put up a sort of “wall” to protect these feelings and emotions, just
as Salinger has Jane do in The Catcher in
the Rye.
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