The Ducks!: Symbolism in "the Catcher and the Rye" (#5)

The ducks in the pond in Central Park symbolize Holden. Holden keeps asking about where the ducks go in the winter. He wants to know what they do in a less desirable situation. Holden is also a less desirable situation, and so the question he really wants to ask is what he should do. Moreover, Holden chose to escape from his problems (both his school and his family). Ducks do the same thing by flying South to escape the winter. The ducks in Central Park, to whom Holden is constantly referring, represent Holden.

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