How Does the Setting Reflect Character?

   So the whole story takes place in The Big Apple (a.k.a New York City). But if you read carefully, you notice that the book is set in the winter season, often raining or snowing. Without a doubt J.D Salinger did this on purpose. He decided to use pathetic fallacy, which is when the weather mirrors the characters emotions and text. It is evident Holden has multiple mental illnesses caused by Allie's death, and is almost always in an angry, irritated, or sullen mood. This is exactly when the weather would be described as gloomy to help set the scene for the reader. It really helps to understand Holden more and the emotions he's feeling by visualising the cold, dark setting. Those words I just used for explaining the weather could easily be used for describing Holden because the setting mirrors him. Near the end when Holden starts to understand important ideas and realizes that everything will be okay in the future that's when the weather starts to become more sunny and ultimately give off a happy, uplifting vibe. Without a good setting I don't think it would be so easy to understand exactly how Holden was feeling such as his depression. Wow, J.D Salinger really was a smart guy..