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Loneliness In J. D. Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye

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“The Catcher in the Rye”, by J.D. Salinger has many major themes that develop based on Holden’s thoughts and feelings. Holden seems to enjoy being isolated, and sees himself as to be superior to others. He often describes other people as “phonies” and claims to know what the people around him are really like. One of the most prominent messages conveyed to readers in the novel is loneliness results in desperation. Holden’s loneliness manifests as a desire to talk to someone he is familiar with. However, his need to stay away from “phonies” has left him isolated. When Holden arrives at Penn Station he goes into a phone booth because he “felt like giving somebody a buzz,” although he does not know who. Holden tries to think of someone to call, …show more content…

He invites both of his cab drivers, neither of which he got along with well, to get a drink with him. The first cab driver is what Holden calls “a wise guy,” and Holden does not even ask for his name before asking, “‘Would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me. I’m loaded’” (Salinger, 60). Holden even offers to pay for the driver, further showing his desperation for company. When the cab driver refuses, Holden thinks to himself, “He certainly was good company. Terrific Personality” (Salinger, 61). This use of sarcasm shows Holden was willing to look past the cab drivers personality if he would get a drink with him. Holden’s second cab driver is name Horwitz, who Holden considers “a much better guy than the other driver I’d had” (Salinger, 81). When Holden begins a conversation with Horwitz he becomes aggressive, and even begins yelling at Holden. Holden ends their conversation because “he was such a touchy guy, [and] it wasn’t any pleasure discussing anything with him” (Salinger, 83). Still Holden invites the cab driver for a drink, which he refused. Although Holden does not enjoy Horwitz’s company, he still asks him to go out with him, showing that he does not care who he is spending time with, as long as they can hold a

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