Rough+Draft

Andy Keehn and Timmy Frantin

Ms. Annicaro/ Mrs.Grier

10/21/09

Period 4 The Red Hunting Cap

Holden cares more about what others think than how he thinks about himself. Though he wants to show his independence but is afraid to wear the cap in front of others. He buys the hunting cap because it shows a sign of independence and it is also his prized possession. He does not wear his cap around people that he knows because he is concerned that they will not accept him. When he puts his cap on, his attitude changes from non-confident to confident. He buys the cap because he wants to be different from everyone else. "I put on this hat that I bought in New York that morning. It was this red hunting cap, with one of those very, very long peaks. I saw it in the window of this sport store when we got out of the subway" (Salinger 17). Since the cap was a sign of independence it became his most valuable belonging. He took it everywhere with him even if he was not wearing it. When Holden hat is his symbol in which in will stand out. He gave Phoebe the hat so that she would have something to remember him and that he was serious about leaving. Holden cares a lot about what people think so he won’t wear his cap with people he is un-comfortable with. "I took it off and looked at it. I sort of closed one eye like I was taking aim at it." (Salinger 22) He took off the cap because he does not want people to get a different idea about him. He feels that he looks out of the ordinary with the cap on. He thinks he looks weird because of the earflaps and the color of the cap. The only time he would wear the cap was when he was completely alone and no one could see him. This shows how he alienates himself from people. When he is wearing the hat he feels more confident. "I put the hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, "sleep tight morons!" (Salinger 52). When he is not wearing the cap he doesn't feel as confident. He believes that the cap gives him protection of some sort. When he has the cap on it creates an entire new person with confidence and someone who is not afraid to fight back. When he is wearing the cap it makes him feel safe from everyone as if he is untouchable. Holden wants to show his independence but at the same time wants to be accepted. He buys the cap because he wants to be different from everyone else. Since his cap was his sign of independence then it became prized possession. He cares a lot about what people think. That is why he doesn't wear his cap in public. When he is wearing the cap he feels more confident. He believes that the cap gives him protection of some sort. Holden's cap is like a get away from the real world.