When I was all set to go, when I had my bags and all, I stood for a while next to the stairs and took a last look down that goddam corridor. I was sort of crying. I don’t know why. I put my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, “Sleep tight, ya morons!” I’ll bet I woke up every bastard on the whole floor. Then I got the hell out. Some stupid guy had thrown peanut shells all over the stairs, and I damn near broke my crazy neck.
– J. D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield in Chapter 7. Holden has been expelled from Pencey for failing classes. Here he describes his exit. He cries as his feelings of depression and lonliness crash down on him at once. Holden’s red hunting hat is one of the main symbols in the novel. It represents individuality and his alienation and escape from life.