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Holden Caulfield Symbolism

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In J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, the character Holden Caulfield is developed through several elements of symbolism. The author introduces the main character Holden as an eccentric and disheveled person. As the book begins, it is revealed that Holden has been expelled from yet another prep school. He is dreading having to return home and inform his parents that he has been expelled all over again. This causes to Holden to avoid travelling home at all costs, which place him in conflict. At one point in the book, Holden introduces the topic of the carousel. Salinger suggests that the carousel symbolizes several ideas such as youth and childhood. As a result, from being expelled from his old school, Pencey Prep, he is left with the consequences of having to …show more content…

Holden dreads this and instead of going home, decides to reside in the city until his winter break begins in three days. During those three days, many events occur. At the end of the novel, Holden meets up with his younger sister Phoebe. They venture to the park where an aged carousel sits, and Holden buys Phoebe a ticket. It was at that point in the book when Holden states he was glad for the first time in a while, and he didn’t know why. “Boy it began to rain like a bastard…I got pretty soaking wet, especially my neck and my pants. I didn’t care though. I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling if you want to know the truth. I don’t know why…” (272). In this moment a few different things have occurred. First, Holden has come to realize fleeing from his problems won’t solve them. Second, he has shown kindness to his sister after he had been cruel to her a few moments before. Most importantly,

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