Catcher in the Rye Duck Symbolism
In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, many symbols are employed. One of these symbols is the ducks in the Central Park lagoon, which represent many important virtues in the novel. These virtues are seen in the main character, Holden, a misunderstood kid who is angry at the world. However, the ducks demonstrate some of Holden’s better traits: his inclination to learn more about the world and his adoration of childhood.
The symbolism of the ducks is developed in many ways. Salinger introduces that the ducks are significant by showing Holden’s further curiosity in them. During the novel he asks his first cab driver if he “happen[s] to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know, by any chance?” (60). This same curiosity trails him later in the book when he questions a second cab driver. Later on, Salinger associates the duck’s determination to overcome the adverse environment with Holden’s understanding of his own situation. Much like Holden’s life, the environment the ducks live in is constantly changing and they have to learn to adapt to their new environment relatively quickly. However, a more key point in the novel is when Salinger displays Holden’s emotions. He arrives drunk at the park to find to his dismay that the ducks are not there. As a result, he sits there pondering suicide, mainly because of the influence they have on him. With his sudden awareness of the fragility of life by his brother, Allie’s death: He is very scared of change and disappearance. Thus, Salinger introduces how the ducks are symbolic in another way.. The ducks display the idea that some vanishings are only temporary. In addition, they symbolize that change is recurring, not permanent. This is proven when the ducks disappear every winter yet return to the same place every spring. This thought arouses Holden’s curiosity once again about where the ducks actually go during winter. Salinger contrasts his depressed and angry depiction with a
The symbolism of the ducks is developed in many ways. Salinger introduces that the ducks are significant by showing Holden’s further curiosity in them. During the novel he asks his first cab driver if he “happen[s] to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know, by any chance?” (60). This same curiosity trails him later in the book when he questions a second cab driver. Later on, Salinger associates the duck’s determination to overcome the adverse environment with Holden’s understanding of his own situation. Much like Holden’s life, the environment the ducks live in is constantly changing and they have to learn to adapt to their new environment relatively quickly. However, a more key point in the novel is when Salinger displays Holden’s emotions. He arrives drunk at the park to find to his dismay that the ducks are not there. As a result, he sits there pondering suicide, mainly because of the influence they have on him. With his sudden awareness of the fragility of life by his brother, Allie’s death: He is very scared of change and disappearance. Thus, Salinger introduces how the ducks are symbolic in another way.. The ducks display the idea that some vanishings are only temporary. In addition, they symbolize that change is recurring, not permanent. This is proven when the ducks disappear every winter yet return to the same place every spring. This thought arouses Holden’s curiosity once again about where the ducks actually go during winter. Salinger contrasts his depressed and angry depiction with a