A literary symbol is something, often an object, that stands for a significant concept or series of ideas. Sometimes it is emblematic of the values of the characters. A symbol for the catcher in the rye is Pencey Prep and Elkton Hills. They are both institutions that serve as symbols in the book. The schools represent the phony, cruel world of those who are in charge of running them. The advertisements for Pencey Prep are deceptive. They feature “some hot guy on a horse” performing equestrian feats. Holden states that he has never seen a horse at Pency Prep. The school motto is revolting to Holden: “Since 1888 we have been molding boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men.” ( The catcher in the rye chapter 1 page 2). Holden can think of…show more content… He tells Phoebe, “You never saw so many mean guys in your life.” Holden dislikes the exclusivity and the prejudice against those who aren’t attractive nor hip. He is ashamed of himself for going along with the crowd. Although James Castle’s brutally forced suicide took place at Elkton Hills, it could’ve happened at Pencey Prep just as easily. For Holden the two schools are representative of a corrupt system designed by privileged adults and catering to boys who want to join. Part of Holden’s dilemma is that he struggles so hard against a system which he was born…show more content… He bought it for one dollar in New York on the Saturday morning when he lost the fencing equipment. The cap is practical at times but looks bizarre, with its extra long bill and earflaps. It represents Holden’s splendid attraction to unusual qualities, in objects as wells as people that others might not notice or enjoy as much as Holden does. He realizes that the hat is unfashionable and occasionally is careful about who sees it, but he enjoys wearing it anyway. He likes to wear it with the bill pointing to the back, as a baseball catcher might. The cap is used for reading as well as a protection from the
