Are there any symbols that are important to the text?

The author J.D Salinger uses many symbols to single out Holden as his own person and to try to get the audience to see him as different from the other characters in the book. Firstly the red hunting hat Holden buys in New York symbols how different he is from the rest which he stands out when he wears it. Holden feels very unique in the hat but it definitely singles him out as weird and very odd. The childhood memory of the red hunting hat shows how Holden is not matured in a adult and is still attached or hasn't got over it. Also an adult would specifically not wear one of these hats so it is also another hint.

The symbol of Allies baseball glove honours his brothers passing and how Holden admired his brother so much. The glove has poetry written in it which shows Allies intelligence and artistic nature, which Holden really did admire.

The Symbol of the ducks when Holden has questions for the cab driver shows his curiosity for wanting to know something a child might ask. That Holden is technically still showing child qualities even though he is an adult. This is also foreshadowing how just like the ducks go away for the winter and adapt to a new environment, so should Holden and adapt to society by not getting to comfortable with society. The ducks offer hope when they leave and eventually return in the summer time.

What do you think of the ending? How does it help to develop the message of the text?

I think the ending of the book is a true revelation of who Holden really is as a character, J.D Salinger reveals to the audience Holden has matured as a person and is on a venture to live on his own. This was a problem previous that Holden did not want to face but had to face the harsh reality of it. J.D really shows the audience who the Catcher in the Rye really is which i really like as well as how Holden grows up as a character and defeats his mental illness.

The message of the text is developed by Holden's maturity and is a complete juxtaposition to how Holden was at the start of the book. J.D is messaging to the audience Holden is done being a child and is now ready to embark on his journey of adulthood. Also when the actual meaning of the Catcher in the Rye is introduced is really creates the message of who Holden really is, as an innocent man caring for children.

How are the conflicts in the book related to real life struggles? what specific elements of the text are especially relevant to the patterns of modern human interaction?

The conflicts in The catcher in the Rye are very similar to real life in many ways. Firstly all teenagers have to face adversity and are facing the fact of growing up and figuring out what they are going to do for the rest of their lives. The struggle can really get to teenagers which is the reason some go into depression and many other mental health issues.

One element is specially relevant to todays modern interaction when Holden is still at Pencey, he technically has roommates which are not really his friends and he does not exactly communicate with the outside world with face to face interaction. Holden is very socially awkward and would rather sit alone by himself smoking cigarettes then talking to other people. The comparison to today would be the addiction with cell phones and teenagers would much rather just spend time on their phone then actually going out and having conversations with people.

Teenagers might find issues with the trend they are starting of being totally un mature until later in life when they eventually grow up. Holden did not learn how to grow up properly and neither are people in our society which may lead to social problems and mental illnesses.

In what ways does the narrative viewpoint affect the text?

The viewpoint of the book is written all the first person and in Holden's views and opinions. The audience only hears one opinion so that may be a huge factor in why the other characters are not being as valued as Holden. This is the only opinion we receive so the audience is inclined to see it through Holden's views. An example is when Holden talks about his roommates Robert Ackley and Ward Stradlater, he perceives them as being terrible and fake people when reality that is only one opinion which could be totally untrue. Now that Holden leaves the impression of his roommates being terrible people, especially in his case of being a guy in a bad mental state. Holden as the narrator always lies and tends to not tell the full story, he is very open to telling people he is a great liar and likes to do it. Interestingly enough this means the book is told from the perspective of a 17 year old chain smoker who is suffering from mental illness and really needs help.

What effects do the events have on a particular characters life or personality?

The author J.D Salinger shows how impactful the effects of a particular situation in a characters lives can destroy their life. The main character and protagonist Holden Caulfield is a perfect example of how the effects of situations can hurt and destroy you. Holden's younger brother Allie passed away at the age of eleven from leukemia in 1946, Holden was also only a young teenager at 13 so it was very difficult for him to handle. Holden really admired his brother for his intelligence and sense of humor, which he didn't really possess the same quality's. Evidently you can see Holden is very depressed because really his brother was everything to him and he basically gives up on everything in life including his marks at Pencey.


Additionally Holden basically closes of him social life and refuses to really talk to the outside world, the mental health aspect really takes him over and he feels very lonely. The theory of the Catcher In the Rye not happening is a possibility if Holden's brother Allie does not die from Cancer in 1946, the personality and mental health of Holden maybe actually be the total opposite of how it is at this point in the book.

What do you think the climactic moment of the text? How is it a turning point/ a resolution/ a switch in the balence of power?

In Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger shows in the novel what important scenes can turn around the character’s life and make a significant impact. The moment Holden is on the verge of getting kicked out of Pencey for flunking all his classes is the point we see he is not a smart guy at all. The thing about it is that he is not necessarily dumb, he just doesn't care and is quite content with being a failure that may never be going anywhere. This is Holden's second offence of being kicked out of a school for grades and really shows an effect of how mental health can take over his life. The huge problem Holden faces is that while he has been kicked out, he does not want his parents to find out until he returns for Christmas break.



Luckily Holden is from a wealthy background and has tons of dough as he called it back in the 1940s, so he journeys from hotel to hotel and city to city waiting until it is a good time to return home. Holden believes this is a good resolution but in reality his parents will eventually find out so it may be best to let them know at the start. Realistically the mental health of Holden takes over his whole life and he becomes very depressed and has thoughts of suicide, it really takes over his life and affects his personal life drastically.

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