Red Hat

In J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in The Rye Holden uses his red hat as a form of protection and comfort as well as a distinguishing characteristic. Holden struggles toWhen Holden goes back to his room after talking to Old Spencer he begins to think about the red hat he purchased in New York City that he is wearing. He states, “just after I lost all the goddam foils…..The way I wore it, I swung the old peak way around to the back very –corny, I’ll admit it but I liked it that way. I looked good in it that way” (18). Holden knows that hat is a bit much, however Holden doesn’t care. He knows the hat looks corny, but he welcomes it because he desires individuality. Holden buys the red hat after making a big mistake to feel innocent and childlike similar to his younger siblings who have bright red hair. Holden needs to feel innocent and also be self-acceptant while also remaining an individual. Next, when Holden is walking back to the hotel from Ernie’s he puts on his hunting hat. He self-consciously thinks, “I took out my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on-I didn’t give a damn how I looked. I even put the ear flaps down” (91). Holden has to remind himself that he doesn’t care what people think of him even though in actuality he does. Holden knows that people will think he is different for wearing the hat, and even though he cares he doesn’t want to others to know because in his mind that hat is one of the things that distinguishes him from the “phonies” in the world. Holden is essentially trying to convince himself that his different from others. Overall, the hat is symbolic of his need for an emotional connection vs. his need for self-reliance and isolation.
Holden uses the hat to protect himself he uses the hat as blockade between himself and a situation that makes him angry or uncomfortable. When Holden is about to write a composition for Stradlater he puts the hat on to write about Allie’s mitt. He states, “I put on my pajamas and my bathrobe and my old