In one's life the journey from childhood to adulthood plays an important role on one's future. The ability to change must be necessary in order to become an adult. Salinger uses many literary terms such as irony, characterization, symbolism, and foreshadowing. In The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger uses symbolism to show Holden's steps to adulthood. A symbol is something that stands for or represents something else. He uses this to bring out the theme. The novel has many symbols that show Holden's long journey and chance to becoming an adult more evident.

The Ducks in the lagoon play are a big symbol in Holden's journey. The ducks represent Holden while the lagoon represents Pencey. Holden and the ducks both leave their temporary home and now Holden wonders where he shall go. He asks a cab driver,

"By any chance, do you happen to know where they go...