In "The Catcher in the Rye," the ducks in the Central Park Lagoon symbolize Holdens fear of change and his desire to hold onto childhood and the simple joy that comes with it. Holdens fixation on the ducks represents his feeling of being lost and his fear of not being able to adapt to the changing world around him. He worries about where the ducks go during the winter when the pond freezes over, just as he worries about his own uncertain future. The ducks also represent Holdens desire to save others from the harsh realities of the world and his own trauma and pain. Furthermore, the ducks can be interpreted as a metaphor for the novels central theme of innocence and the loss of innocence. Overall, the ducks in "The Catcher in the Rye" are a powerful symbol that represents Holdens fear of change, his desire to save others from the harsh realities of the world, and the novels central theme of innocence and the loss of innocence.