Childhood Innocence In JD Salingers Catcher In The Rye

â€Å"The notion of innocence refers to childrens simplicity, their lack of knowledge, and their purity not yet spoiled by mundane affairs† according to Oxford Bibliography. Many people think of children as a representation of innocence. To them, childhood innocence vacates over time and doesn’t hold value or much importance. In Catcher in the Rye, it embodies much more significance. All of the qualities of childhood innocence mentioned from Oxford Bibliography hold significance in this symbolistic story. In Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger depicts the comforting escape of childhood innocence while transitioning to the adult world. Salinger demonstrates symbolism when he shows Holden expresses the desire to conserve his past as he transitions†¦show more content†¦Along with Phoebe, his red hunting hat obtains a similar amount of value to him. Salinger symbolizes the hat as protection from adulthood and his depression. Phoebe, who symbolizes childhood innocence, acts as an escape from adulthood and depression. With this, Holden decides to give his hat to Phoebe, preserving the innocence. Even though these contain the most value, when moving on, he lets them go to start his new life and preserve its importance. When Salinger shows Holden restricting himself from going into the museum and giving his hunting hat to Phoebe, he demonstrates symbolism. Salinger utilizes setting to show the importance of childhood innocence. Not only does Holden cherish childhood innocence, but he worries about what can damage it. When at Phoebe’s school, Holden notices a phrase on the wall that makes him worry about k ids at the school. Holden says â€Å"I saw something that drove me crazy. Somebody’d written ‘Fuck you’ on the wall. It drove me damn near crazy. I thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it and how they’d wonder what it meant† (221). Phoebe’s school represents innocence because of the kids that spend their day there playing and learning. The writing on the wall shocks him. It worries him that Phoebe and the little kids would see it, later figuring out what it meant and losing their innocence. Another example Salinger gives of Holden noticing the childhoodShow MoreRelatedEssay about J.D. Salingers Development of Holden Caulfield1174 Words   |  5 Pagestheir own life as inspiration towards their works and characters. J.D. Salinger’s character development of Holden Caulfield has been affected by Salinger’s complications in his school life, devastating past relationships, and overwhelming traumatic events dur ing his pre-The Catcher in the Rye adulthood. J.D. Salinger’s school life had many significant events that are shown through Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye. In the novel, the 17-year-old Holden Caulfield leaves Pencey Prep. InRead MoreCatcher in the Rye4413 Words   |  18 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye â€Å"Is The Catcher in the Rye, as a work of literature still relevant for today’s youth?† Name: Sara Sigurdson Course: English A1 Supervisor: Mr. Peter Steadman Word count: 3851 Candidate number: 00136022 Table of Contents Content Page Number Abstract 3 Introduction 4 The Actual Catcher in the Rye 4 The Sexual Matter 5 The Caulfield Family 6 Narrator and Protagonist 8 Role Model 9 Mr. Antolini 10 Targeted Audience 10 Guidance 12 Read More Importance of Language in The Catcher in the Rye Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   The Catcher in the Rye, like many other great works, was met by scornful criticism and unyielding admiration. However, many literary critics also marveled at Salingers use of language, which was used to make Holden Caulfield, the main character, extremely realistic. Such language includes both repetition of phrases and blatant cursing, in order to capture the informal speech of the average, northeastern American adolescent. Through Holdens thoughts and dialogues, Salinger successfully createdRead MoreEtymology and Symbolism of Characters Names in Catcher in the Rye1967 Words   |  8 PagesNames in Catcher in the Rye      Ã‚  Ã‚   Catcher in the Ryes pallid cover, adorned only with seven multicolored bands in its upper-left corner, is not what one would call eye-catching. Its reverse side lacks criticisms or reviews of any sort; in fact, it is bare of anything except a copyright date. Human beings are advised not to judge books by their covers, rather that they should look further than the obvious and try to apprehend the implied meaning. The world has peered past Catcher in the