Catcher In The Rye: Poem Analysis

The Carousel music serves as a symbol of untouchable childhood memories that will never change even when you grow up. When Holden and Phoebe get closer to the Central Park Carrousel, Holden hears the Carrousel music; “It played that same song about fifty years ago when I was a little kid” (Salinger 231). The hyperbole of “fifty years” represents Holden's love of childhood which for him seems so long ago. Holden misses his childhood and all that comes with it. Holden is saying that his childhood was “fifty years ago” because now he has to be an adult and take on responsibility. The repetition of playing the same song reflects the carrousel going around and around, which illustrates Holden staying in one place with his life. This depicts that
On most carrousels there is a golden ring which children try to grab while they’re riding. If a child successfully grabs the ring the he or she wins a prize. Children try for the ring even if they might fall off the horse; “if they want to grab for the gold ring you have to let them do it” (Salinger 232). Children are going to make their own choices. If they are going to go try to do something they are passionate about or go after something they think they will gain from you have to let them try. Since capturing the ring means for a prize, kids make their choices based on possible hope or a chance they will get the prize . Holden is reluctant to make the life choice to grow up because he sees little hope becoming a phony
These elements of the setting mold Holden’s character from the beginning of the book; cynical, to somewhat hopeful at the end. Theses elements made Holden realize that there will be some things will stay the same when you grow up like the carrousel music. Holden also realizes that some things will change and sometimes you might not always get the gold ring. Either way the Central Park Carrousel is the place where Holden ultimately accepts the concept of growing