Catcher in the Rye Discussion 08/02/2008 08:48:00

Holden
• Lying to the reader
o He could be lying for specific reasons such as the ability to lie
for self confidence
 Continuously lies about age
 Lies for fun (tries to make life seem more exciting)
 Excuse of a brain tumor surgery to Mrs. Morrow
and the prostitute at the hotel
 Wants to know that he can lie and feel smarter than
everyone else (hides from his own truth)
• The Museum
o Enjoys remembering the past, the museum symbolizes past
events in his childhood (p121)
o Change
 Wants to get a sense of who he really is
 When he is at the museum he enjoys it because nothing
is changing
 Holden’s hat
• Wears it a certain way to show that he is
younger (reflects on the museum because
he wants to remember his childhood)
• Symbolically it shows his identity
o Wants to be left alone
o The way he wears the hat determines
his personality at that time
• Comfort zone
o When he wears the hat he can be
himself rather than his reclusive self
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08/02/2008 08:48:00