Innocence In The Catcher In The Rye Innocents, Something everyone knew they would lose but had a harder time recognizing when it was actually gone. In J.D. In Salinger's novel The Catcher In The Rye, he uses the protagonist Holden Caulfield while he is transitioning out of his old school and wandering New York City as he starts to gain a new perspective on growing up and the loss of innocence. Throughout Holden's journey in the novel, he encounters different places like a carousel and objects like a record for his sister that works to symbolize innocence in Holden's mind. The symbols help him understand the loss of innocents, not only in himself but in the world at large. Through Salinger's use of symbolism, he reveals that innocence can only …show more content…
Eventually, everyone will grow up and have to let it go no matter how much one longs to hold on to it. In the novel, this is shown as Holden states, “something terrible happened just as I got to the park. I dropped old Phoebe's record. It broke into about fifty pieces. It was in an envelope and all, but it broke anyway. I damn near cried, it made me feel so terrible. (P.170). Just as Holden could not preserve the novelty of the record, he cannot preserve the innocence of youth forever. Although the record is bound to break eventually and kids must grow up and become adults, Holden wishes he could keep them fresh and young, but understands at the same time the world is ever-changing and things cannot forever be preserved. Soon after the record shattered Holden gathers the pieces and puts them in his coat pocket as he states, They weren't any good for anything, but I didn't feel like throwing them away. (P.170). Although Holden still tries to keep what little he can of the record, he knows that after it is broken, he can no longer restore it to its original state. Just as the record will never be restored to its youth, nor will children after their innocence is broken or shattered. Holden yearns to preserve the little bit of innocence he can hold on to, but acknowledges that once it is broken, it is