Maturation involves reassessing the childish ideals that one holds dear. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger writes about an adolescent teen experiencing loneliness and depression. The character, Holden, is plagued by the “phonies” of the adult world and deflects any complex views that hinder his innocence. Through symbols, such as the red hunting hat, the Shirley Beans record, and the profanity on the wall, Salinger emphasizes Holden’s struggle to embrace his individuality and protect his childish innocence.
The red hunting hat has been Holden’s favorite since the minute he bought it. Wearing the hat backwards, Holden is the most comfortable and embraces his true personality. When Ackley inquiries about it, Holden jokingly replies, “This is a people shooting hat” (26). Literally, he horses around with people while wearing the hat, …show more content…
The record is about a young kid who wouldn’t leave the house because she was ashamed of her two front teeth, intriguing Holden immediately. As it was about the innocent story of a little kid and parallels his own protection of innocence, Holden adores it and hopes that Phoebe appreciates as much as he does. However, a drunk Holden “dropped old Phoebe's record. It broke-into about fifty pieces” (170). After the fallout from a conversation with Lupe, Holden recedes to alcohol as a solution to his depression. In the overdose, he symbolically loses his innocence and his fantasy world is shattered. It marks the transition into the real world, which he is so strongly trying to avoid in fear of becoming “phony” and being hypocritical. However, once again, Phoebe reassures him that she accepts his newer self. Once presented with the pieces, she quickly replies, “Gimme the pieces… I'm saving them” (181). Phoebe’s acceptance of his character is what motivates him to accept his conditions and maintain his