In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J.D Salinger uses symbols to show Holden Caulfields view of the world and how it eventually changes. In literature, a symbol is something that stands for or represents a deeper meaning. In this novel, the museum, the cliff in the rye, and the carousel all represent deeper meanings. The museum depicts how Holden wants to preserve everything and keep people from being ruined by society. The cliff in the rye portrays Holdens dream of being the one who protects and catches everyone from falling off. The carousel has a deeper meaning in which it symbolizes life, and how Holdens views of the world eventually changes. These three symbols define Holdens feelings of protection and show how he eventually changes his views.One symbol that shows Holdens views and feelings is the museum. He believes that all people are pure and good until they are turned phony by the doings of society. One person who is not tainted by society his Holdens sister Phoebe. Holden would like to protect and preserve her like in the Museum where everything stays the same. Holden talks about this when he mentions how Phoebe will be different every time she goes to the museum. Holden says, Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone (Salinger 122). Holden wants to keep Phoebe pure and innocent because she is still to young to sell out and become a phony. He does not want her to become a phony like his older brother D.B. He feels that since he could not save and preserve his brother he has to protect Phoebe and keep her innocence. However, his view of the museum being pure and not affected by society is changed when he sees obscenities in the museum. He realizes that he cannot protect Phoebe from society.Another symbol that represents Holdens views is the cliff in the rye. Holden always dreams of being the catcher in the rye. He explains th...
