In chapter 25, symbolism of the red hunting hat, “fuck you” and the golden rings/ carousel were shown along with the themes of innocence and mortality. Throughout, the novel the red hunting hat has been used as a symbol of protection and as a comfort mechanism. He states, “My hunting hat really gave me a lot of protection, in a way but I got soaked anyway.” This can signify his constant struggle between childhood and adulthood. Through Holden’s realization that although the hat gave him protection but he still “got soaked” it can be representative of him coming to terms with the fact that the hat can’t protect him from everything. The “fuck you” written around the school and at the museum can be symbolic of the loss of innocence. By wiping
