What does the hat mean to Holden?
J.D. Salinger is the writer of one of the most popular teenage books. The Catcher in the Rye
is worldwide known bestseller and that is because every single word in the book has its own
meaning and connects to the plot in a way many people do not see. The red hunting Hat is used
all throughout the book in different ways. Holden likes his hat and doesn't rely on others'
opinions about it. So that is what he says about it: "My ears are warm and nice, though.That hat
I bought had ear laps in it, and I put them on." (47) Holden's hat serves serves as protection for
him , as boosts his self-esteem and reminds of his dead brother.
Holden's red hunting hat makes him feel safe and secure. During bad weather Holden
always puts on his red hat and says he feels secure in it. On one of the last pages, Holden says:"I
got pretty soaking wet, especially my neck and my pants. My hunting hat really gave me quiet a
lot protection..." (191) Holden likes his hat that much because it reminds him in a way of his
home and the look of the hat itself is somehow childish with those ear laps. Holden enjoys that
and doesn't care whether someone would see him or not. He likes the ear laps because they
remind him of how it was being a kid and how badly he doesn't want anything to change. The
red hunting hat makes Holden feel warmness and protection even when he is alone in the bad
weather. Even though Holden doesnt say how secure he is or how save he feels, we can
understand that from his words and the way he talkswhen he puts on the hat.
Holden's individuality is shown by the way he puts on his hat when he is alone and removes
it when there are people around him. In page 47, Holden says, "I didn't give a damn how I
looked. Nobody was around anyway."(47) Holden puts on his had with the ear laps and says that
he doesn't care. But why would he say that there isn't anybody around anyway if he didn't care.
People in general always look if someone is around before they do something embarrassing.
Holden also looks around, notices that there is nobody nearby and then he puts on his ear laps.
The hat is somehow like Holden. It is unique and and isn't like all other fancy, modern hats. It is
more traditional, old-fashioned hat. Just like the way Holden likes the things to be. Always the
same.
The red hunting hat also reminds Holden of his dead brother and of his sister back in his
home, where is cozy and comfortable. They both have red hair. This reminds Holden that he has
people that are close to him and that he is not alone. Holden feels guilty in some way that he
didn't take his brother to shoot with guns with him the last the he asked him. This guilt makes
Holden feel a lot of pain which he doesn't show but actually it makes him feel that depression he
talks about during the whole book. Every time he speaks about his depression it relates to his
brother in some way. Both siblings of Holden's are red-haired and the hat reminds him of them.
He loves them both so much that he thinks about them every day. The hat is ''the something'' that
reminds him of them every single time he looks at it..
In conclusion , the Red Hunting Hat as a symbol plays a very important role in Salinger's
book, illustrating Holden's feelings and reveling some aspects of his live. Not only it is used as
protection, but also as a reminder that Holden has a sister he adores and a brother he loved. The
red-hunting hat is the connection between him and his home when he is away from it.
P.S. Sorry for turning it late. I realize that you are going to take some points for that.
P.S.S. I couldnt find a quote for 3rd paragraph and I decided I should leave the 2nd paragraph the
way it is.