Journal: Symbols in The Catcher in the Rye

I think the Museum of Natural History is one of many symbols in The Catcher in the Rye. Holden tells the reader that he likes the museum because it is always the same. He likes how everything is always in the same place every time he visits the museum. Holden also says that he does not like the fact that every time he goes to the museum he is different. He does not like how he changes, and he wishes he could stay the same like the statues in the museum.

From these explanations I have come to the conclusion that the Museum of Natural History probably represents Holden's fear of growing up. The entire novel is about Holden's struggle with knowing that he must become an adult. Holden wishes he could stay the same forever, which is why he idolizes the museum so much. At a certain point in the novel, Holden decides to go to the Museum of Natural History, but he does not go in because he is afraid that it will be different. This act symbolizes that Holden is still not ready to grow up, and that he has a fear of things that he is not certain about. Not knowing if the museum has changed would symbolize the fear of things that Holden is not certain about.