Hmmm. But Rachel, don't hunters kill ducks? Seriously, I think that the hunting hat was one of those symbols that worked on lots of levels. On the one hand, wearing a hat with flaps immediately made you a target for a bully because it made you such a vulnerable geek target. On the other hand, putting on a hat with flaps is also a way of going back to mummy and evokes lots of infant "security and protection type memories." And, literally, hunters who are big, tough and macho wear these things as they shoot animals. So, given Holden's simultaneous tough guy/vulnerable guy personna, it's really the perfect apparel. Lesley > ---------- > From: Rachel J Macdonald[SMTP:macdon50@pilot.msu.edu] > Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 1998 3:48 > To: bananafish@lists.nyu.edu > Subject: hunting hat > > I always thought the hunting hat symbolized Holden's desire to protect > everything...the ducks, kids, etc. > rachel >