In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J. Salinger discusses the symbols of the hunting hat, the windows, and the ducks to illustrate Holden's struggle with facing adulthood. Holden's red hunting hat giving him courage, his need for clarity is shown with the windows, and his comparison with the ducks all help Holden learn and mature throughout this novel. Although the hunting hat allows Holden to be more courageous, it also makes him feel more self-conscious in adult situations. When Holden opens a window it is symbolic of the clarity needed in his life along with him maturing. During Holden's visit in New York his curiosity about where the ducks go during the winter shows a more youthful side to him and reveals the comparison between the ducks and himself. Holden realizes that he cannot protect himself and others from adulthood and he faces difficulty with that throughout this novel.
Every time Holden puts his red hunting hat on he gains courage, as if he is a different person and that person does not care what anyone else thought but him. "I put my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, 'Sleep tight, ya morons!'" (52, Salinger) Holden said this after he decides he is getting out of school early and heading off to New York. Around the boys at his school Holden mostly kept to himself but since getting the hat things started to change, when he wears it, it makes him feel more confident about himself like he is a better him. The hat also acts as his safe place here he can be most comfortable because it reminds him of his brother Allie, who passed way then he was 11. Although the hat gives him courage, at the same time, he is very self-conscious about the hat.
"We got to the Edmont Hotel, and I checked in. I'd put on my red hunting cap when I was in the cab, just for the hell of it, but I took it off before I checked in.
