Catcher in the Rye

            The novel chosen is a classic in American literature and has been labeled that way because of its depiction of life through a boy's life and the symbols within. The link between the main character and the things around him is what makes this book so profound and is probably one of the most important aspects. To look at the relationship between the two, really illustrates how the use of symbolism helps to develop this novel's tragic theme of self vs. self and the on going battle with change.
             The main character in this book, Holden Caulfield, is a curious young man which leads him to discover the first main use of symbolism in the novel. He has a strong curiosity about where the ducks go during the winter at Central Park, and this curious thought seems to take over his brain during an important conversation. The thought of the ducks seems to reveal a legitimate, more youthful side to his character because what kind of fully "mature" man would think of such a silly thing. For most of the book, he sounds like an ill-tempered old man who is angry at the world for even just existing. In this search of his to find the ducks, he is representing the curiosity of youth and a carefree willingness to encounter the mysteries of the world. This moment in the book really stands out as an important symbolic factor, because Holden clearly lacks such willingness to learn and ask silly, yet genuine questions in other aspects of his life. .
             The ducks and the pond are also symbolic in many other ways as well. Their mysterious determination in the face of an unlivable environment resonates with Holden's understanding of his own situation. The ducks also prove that some departures are only temporary, which also relates to Holden's state at the time of thinking about this conundrum, a departure from reality. Holden is no strange to disappearance either, since he had just earlier lost his brother Allie, he is obviously terrified of the idea of change.