Catcher In The Rye Symbols
In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the book's’ most significant symbol is in the title itself. Holden talks about becoming “A Catcher in the Rye” meaning someone who stands on the edge of cliffs in rye fields catching children before they fall. The image is symbolic because Holden has had a desire to save himself as well as other children from having to grow up into the "phony" adult world. The image is even more ironic because Holden misheard the song. He thought the words were; "if a body catch a body comin' through the rye" but the actual words were "if a body meet a body comin' through the rye." The actual song talk about two bodies meeting in the rye to have sex, which is something that Holden doesn't seems to be prepared for.