The Catcher in the Rye - Ducks and Lagoons, Say What?

In most novels, some of the most important symbols are the simplest of things. The Catcher in the Rye is full of clever ideas and objects that represent something important to Holden. The ducks of the lagoon in Central Park symbolize the unknown in life and how we face chose to face that unknown. In the beginning of the novel, Holden mentions the ducks when he “shoots the bull” to old Mr. Spencer about his reasoning for not trying in school (Salinger 12). “The funny this is, though, I was sort of thinking of something else while I shot the bull. I love in New York, and I was thinking about the lagoon in Central Park, down near Central Park South. I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go. I was wondering here the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away,” (Salinger 13). This paragraph is definitely stock full of symbols. The way I look at it, the ducks symbolize people in society in their own lagoon. The ice in the lagoon symbolizes growing up and how it is a gradual change that happens over a period of time. The guy in the truck refers to people who aid us (or in this case, the ducks) in their journey through life, whereas the scenario where the ducks simply fly away symbolizes individuals who try to walk through life on their own.

I am always so fascinated at how something so seemingly simple can signify life itself on such a powerful level. Holden is always wondering where the ducks go when the ice freezes over. He himself recognizes the lagoon’s symbolism and puts himself in the ducks position. He wonders where he will go when his own “ice” freezes over. Will someone help him along the way? Or will he have to embark on adulthood alone. In the end, he is able to realize what is important in his life and I feel as if he knows exactly what to do by the time the novel comes to an end. Overall, a very creative literary mechanic on Salinger’s part.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.