Symbolism

Throughout the contemporary novel, Holden Caulfield encountered various characters and objects symbolizing conformity and religion. The Catcher in the Rye contained sentimental memories and characters. Holden Caulfield’s late brother seemed to hold a place in his heart. Caulfield reminisced of games with his brother. His sentimentality opened another realm in the novel. The Catcher in the Rye seemed to lack a strong relationship. The memories Caulfield reminisces about creates depth to the novel. The depth of the novel is dumbfounding to various readers due to the novel’s message and overall theme. Throughout the novel, Caulfield speaks of most characters in a negative way. The only characters Caulfield seemed to admire were his family and the two nuns. The nuns seem to be a strong symbol in the novel, yet they have but a minute involvement in the overall story. When Caulfield encounters the nuns, he seems to give them a fair amount of money. Caulfield gave his money to the nuns, because he felt they were quite truthful in his society. Although Salinger introduced the nuns in his novel, they seem to have a different purpose. Salinger introduced the characters to make a statement of religion. He respects religion, but he did not want to revolve his novel around a specific religion. The Catcher in the Rye was a contemporary and radical novel due to its ability to resolve its conflict without religious interference. Because of the novel’s lack of religion, many older generations opposed the novel’s publication and study throughout the United States. The novel’s lack of religion allows readers to gain a perception of life not involving significant figures. This aspect gained the novel more support.

Various other small characters symbolized conformity and opposition. Caulfield encountered multiple characters in his hotel. These characters symbolized opposition toward conformity. Although he encountered many characters opposed to society, he continued to feel alone. The prostitute Caulfield calls can symbolize truth and fear. Throughout the novel, Caulfield discovered many characters representing larger aspects of life.