#2002-2004

löytyispä joku hyvä korvike olvin honolululle, se oli mun lempparilimu lapsena!

Although Holden's hunting cap does not seem important or significant to the story Catcher in the Rye, it is actually a huge motif, and tells a lot about the person who wears it. The hunting cap symbolizes Holden's feelings and his unique yet contradictory personality. When he wears the cap he seems to be seeking attention, and wants to stand out. He is being his true self because he likes the hat; although many find it ugly and unfashionable, but Holden bought and wears it anyway. He puts it on while he is in his dorm, and the taxi cab, and while walking to the train station. However, Holden doesn't wear the hat all the time, and when he takes it off he is usually insecure at the time, and out in public. For example, he takes it off before he goes into the Hotel after arriving in New York, because he doesn't want people to "think he is a screwball". He also takes it off when the train arrives, and when people start emerging. By putting the hat on and taking it off, it shows how Holden is rather hypocritical. He doesn't like phonies, or people who conform and pretend to be something their not just to be popular, and yet he does the same thing. He wears the hat and says he doesn't care how he looks or what people think about him, but then he takes it off when he goes out in public! I think Holden is a very complex person, and he does have lots of issues. I understand that Holden wants to be himself, but he is afraid that if he is himself all the time, then people won't like him, or think he is weird. He desperately seeks companionship on a deeper level, yet he doesn't seem to be able to connect with anyone because he 'conforms' around people.