What object is the subject of Holden's composition for Stradlater?

The object in Holden’s composition for Stradlater is a baseball glove.

Holden writes the composition about the glove that belonged to his younger brother Allie, who died of leukemia. Allie had written poems in green ink on the glove, giving the ordinary sports object deep emotional importance for Holden.

The assignment is not really about baseball technique or equipment. Holden chooses the glove because it preserves Allie’s personality and his own memories of his brother. Stradlater, however, criticizes the composition for not following the expected format and misses its emotional meaning.

A common mix-up is confusing Allie’s glove with Holden’s red hunting hat. The glove represents Allie’s memory, while the hat is associated with Holden’s individuality and isolation.