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Post by christa on Nov 17, 2008 12:53:39 GMT -5
The ducks in Central Park and Holden's red hat aren't just random items he mentions. Each object had some kind of important meaning. Holdens story about the ducks shows that he misses hanging out in Central Park when he was younger. As he walks back there, it brings back memories. The red hat symbolizes that he doesn't look too young and so neighbors won't suspect he's in town. That is a really good observation but how specifically does it show that he dosen't look too young?
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Post by bigkitty7 on Nov 17, 2008 20:45:35 GMT -5
I think that the ducks moving everywhere represent holdens life and how he was just tossed around all the time and has no permanent home. so he seems to relate to the ducks and their home problem.
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Post by mental on Nov 18, 2008 12:51:00 GMT -5
The purpose of Holden mentioning the ducks is because he is like them in terms he is always traveling from school to school and doesn't know why he can't stay in one place. The reference to his red hat is that he for once found something he actually likes
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Post by mental on Nov 18, 2008 15:14:03 GMT -5
I was reading this topic, and an Idea sprung in my head. It's kinda strange, so stick with me. The red cap is described as hiving a large bill. what else has a large bill? Ducks. I believe this symbolizes his connection to the ducks. The main thing I notice, though, is his wearing it back wards. If he were a duck, he should be wearing it for wards. But, as previously stated in the book, it seems Holden hates being the same as others. Could the back wards bill be his attempt to be different from the other ducks? Also, I stick with the idea the pond represents Holden's life and he is a duck looking for what to do now that his pond has frozen over. On another note, and this is for Mr. Gibbs, is it bad I answered this question even though I haven't done 3 yet? EDIT: I was taking with some other people about this book, could the hunting hat be that instead of hunting to kill, his thingying could be to critisize others? Also, I think it's being red is because it is such a stand out color, it separates him from the crowd. This is a very interesting statement. Now that I have read it I've come to agree about he kinda is like a duck.
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Post by alphatango on Nov 20, 2008 12:13:26 GMT -5
I think the meaning of the ducks is that holden thinks he doesnt have any more options and in a sense his lake is freezing over, so the reason he wants to know is so he can find some place to escape to. As for the hat I think he just likes it because it makes him unique
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Post by abude11 on Nov 20, 2008 12:21:53 GMT -5
I think the ducks in Central Park symbolizes how Holden doesn't know where he wants to go and what he wants to do. He asks the taxi driver how the ducks always know where to go and when...and it seems Holden doesn't know how to do the same. The ducks have some kind of meaning behind them but i think the red hat is a random item in the story. I feel there's no meaning towards it. There probably is but i guess i didn't catch it.
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Post by tropygrl on Nov 20, 2008 12:26:45 GMT -5
"The purpose of Holden mentioning the ducks is because he is like them in terms he is always traveling from school to school and doesn't know why he can't stay in one place. The reference to his red hat is that he for once found something he actually likes"
i totally agree
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Post by reyes92 on Nov 20, 2008 12:33:45 GMT -5
arianna makes a good point about Holden liking his hat so much because it is always there and everything around him is changing. What other meanings do you think the hat could carry?
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Post by ariamac on Nov 20, 2008 12:38:13 GMT -5
Holden was relating to his life when he saw the ducks. Because they were getting ready for the pond to freeze over and they would have to "move." Which is what Holden always has to do...move. And his red hat symbolizes his most prized possesion.
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Post by miles on Nov 20, 2008 12:56:28 GMT -5
I think Holden has to constantly remind himself about the ducks because he wants to know what hes gonna do later on. The ducks know what their gonna do with their lives but Holden doesnt exactly know what hes gonna do with his. And i think his red hat sybolizes his difference from everyone else and his frustration of not knowing what to do with his life.
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Post by miles on Nov 20, 2008 12:58:49 GMT -5
I agree with alphatango i think their analysis of Holden makes a lot of sense with Holden needing a place to escape and him being frustrated with not knowing where to go.
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Post by jamesc on Nov 21, 2008 0:04:58 GMT -5
i agree with dante
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Post by jamesc on Nov 21, 2008 0:05:22 GMT -5
i dont agree with you heather
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Post by torilovesmaddie on Nov 21, 2008 0:52:37 GMT -5
Benbo, I agree with you when you say that he wears the red hat because it is such a stand out color, and it separates him from the crowd. That is so true!
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Post by putanginamo on Nov 21, 2008 11:59:35 GMT -5
i kind of agree with alphatango that Holden did want to leave and go somewhere. and i also think he wears the red hunting cap because he thinks he looks good in it and that it is now a style that will use.
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