Ducks in Central Park (Chapter 12)

            In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield constantly entertains the question of where the ducks in the Central Park Lagoon go during the winter. Holden first provides a remark about the ducks in chapter 2 and then further recalls the question about the ducks throughout the novel. Ducks in the Central Park Lagoon always seem to be in the back of Holden’s mind; the concept that he cannot seem to figure out where the ducks go is constantly picking at him. In chapter 12, Holden takes a liking toward Horwitz, an ill-tempered cab driver, and decides to ask the cab driver where the ducks in the Central Park Lagoon go when the water freezes over. Horwitz replies, “How the hell should I know?” Caulfield continues to ask the question to the cab driver, who increasingly becomes more and more volatile and angry with Holden. The ensuing argument prompts the reader take note of the chapter, as it is perplexing as to why Holden wants to know the answer so bad, while it is also notable that Horwitz is so ill tempered with the subject. Perhaps J.D. Salinger used the argument as a foreshadowing for the importance of ducks throughout The Catcher in the Rye, and confused the reader through the odd argument, thus propelling the reader to take extra note of the section. Also, considering the fact that half of chapter 12 consisted of were ducks go in the winter, there must be significance behind the symbol.

            Holden could see himself in the ducks place; like the ducks, a harsh environment surrounds him, and the ducks continuously change places, like Holden is continuously changing. Holden also could see comfort in the ducks, as Holden may not know where the ducks are headed to or what awaits the ducks on their journey, but there is a certainty that they will end up back in the same lagoon in Central Park. Holden is in a confusing and commotional world where uncertainty surrounds him, and thus a thirst for certainty is seen through his deep inquiry about the ducks. Holden asked Horwitz about the ducks, “Do you happen to know where they go in the wintertime, by any chance?” Holden is always looking for a concrete answer; he is essentially waiting for Horwitz to give him a definitive answer. However, no one Holden has asked knows where the ducks go in the winter, just as Holden does not know where he is going in life in the near or distant future.

                                       

             Though Holden may not have an answer to where the ducks in Central Park go, the official website of Central Park perhaps does know, and what it says may put some of the factual content in The Catcher in the Rye on “thin ice.” The article in fact says that ducks often don’t migrate during the winter and that they can be seen all year long. Too bad Holden Caulfield didn’t have the Internet!

Why do you think Holden has such an interest in the ducks? Do you think the ducks and Holden have parallels? Is there perhaps a reason J.D. Salinger made Holden so interested in where ducks travel, yet the ducks never actually leave? Do you think the ducks represent something else?