The Use of Symbolism in the Works of J.D. Salinger: Innocence is Bliss During the late 19th century and early 20th century, symbolism became a major art and significant literary movement . The word symbol comes from the Greek verb symballein, "to put together," and its noun symbolon, "mark," "emblem," "sign," or "mark" (Cuddon). A symbol is an object that exemplifies something else and associates an image with a concept. Symbolism is often associated with literature, but is also expressed in everyday life when actions and gestures are denoted. For example, a clenched fist symbolizes aggression and raised arms represent surrender. Most of the symbols are generic, such as the heart, which represents love. The use of symbolism is present in some of the greatest literary works of all time. The green light in The Great Gatsby represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams of achieving his eternal goal. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the farm to represent the ideal life that George and Lennie aspire to, the American dream. On the positive side, within these extraordinary works, there are occasions where detailed imagery is used to express unusual feelings or concepts. JD Salinger, another outstanding literary sensation, is consistent in applying the concept of symbolism to his writing. In the 1940s, Salinger wrote some of his most famous works such as "The Catcher in the Rye" and "Nine Stories." Salinger uses symbols to provide a deeper meaning to what is primarily described in the writing. In these novels, Salinger uses his characters, Holden Caulfield and others from Nine Stories, to convey strong messages. Holden Caulfield has become one of the greatest literary characters of all time because he connects with the... center of the card... across time. The only thing that can protect you from materialistic adult life is simply innocence. Symbolism has become such an important element in the history of literature. Authors use it to express ideas for which they may not have been able to find the right words. It is important not to condone symbols in literature books because they most likely hold the truest meanings and moral lessons within the works. Once again, imagine a world full of innocence. Begin to understand that innocence is the key factor in keeping your inner youth alive and protecting it from false adulthood. Without symbolism, authors would not be able to convey valuable messages like this, and readers would not be able to take these lessons and learn from them. Innocence is happiness and literary symbols have only had a strong impact on society that will continue to sustain for generations to come.