By using symbolism, an author can create a contrast between the appearance and the subtler meaning of an element. The novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," by J. D. Salinger, is the story of Holden Caulfield, an individual amid the conformity of the 1950s, who struggles to find his place in the world. J. D. Salinger uses symbols such as a broken record, a half-frozen pond devoid of ducks, and a checkerboard to reveal insights into Holden's motivations and character.
In the novel, the broken record is a symbol for Holden's fear of the loss of childhood innocence and youthful purity. Holden buys a record for his sister, explaining, "There was this record I wanted to get for Phoebe, called 'Little Shirley Beans'. It was a very hard record to get. 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 afraid to" (p. 114). Holden's little sister Phoebe is herself a symbol of innocence to him, and J. D. Salinger uses the children's record to reveal Holden's desire to preserve her purity. Holden feels himself quickly losing his youthful innocence and attempts to find strength in his sister. To Holden, she is almost a better version of himself, always smarter and more clever than he ever was, and he strives to further her youthful perfection by giving her the record. However, this dream is soon shattered, "Then something terrible happened just as I go in the park. I dropped old Phoebe's record. It broke into about fifty pieces. It was in a big envelope and all, but it broke anyway. I damn near cried, it made me feel so terrible, but all I did was, I took the pieces out of the envelope and put them in my coat pocket " (p. 154). Holden realizes that, however hard he may try to protect her, Phoebe's innocence will soon be as fractured as his own. J. D. Salinger gives us an insight into the fierce devotion Holden feels for his sister and the pain this realization causes him.