Theme Of Isolation In Catcher In The Rye

In the beginning of Catcher in the Rye, Holden was extremely selfish and didn’t ever consider other people’s opinions and how they might feel. As the story has gone he has continued to move along he has failed to realize that not all people are phony and mean. He goes on the date and as they are going in to a cab he thinks, “I sort of hated old Sally by the time we got into the cab, after listening to phony Andover bastard for about ten hours” (140). Holden is trying to be friends with Sally, but realizes that it’s not going over well. Holden is beginning to realize that the people he is trying to be friends with are not working out for him because he does not allow himself to blend with people. He is getting himself deeper into isolation and

He complains throughout The Catcher in the Rye about his rough childhood, yet his constant complaining helps the reader discern as to why he acts out the way he does. Holden starts off the story explaining what the reader is reading. He explains how he resents his brother D.B. since D.B. is actually doing something with his life (Salinger 3-4). Also, Holden seems to have this attitude of not caring, and the reader can tell that it most likely is from his childhood because every school he goes to he eventually flunks out or is kicked out. When he goes to talk to Mr. Spencer, he does not seem to care what his parents will think about failing another school (12-13). Holden also acts out and does not think of the consequences of his actions. While preparing to leave Pencey, Holden starts teasing Stradlater and does not stop. This results in the two getting into a fight. Holden is severely hurt because of his actions, which shows how he acts out on various occasions (57-58). He leaves Pencey and sets himself up at a hotel. While there, Holden gets into an argument with Maurice. Holden makes Maurice mad, and Maurice pins Holden on the

These instances made Holden have to grow up sooner than he should’ve. To start, when Phoebe, Holden’s little sister, asks what Holden enjoys and would want to do in his future Holden exclaims, “I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be” (Salinger 175). Holden explains the “catcher in the rye,” as catching children that are falling out of their childhood purity, proving his motive to protect children from what he believes is corruption. In addition, when Holden wants to deliver his goodbye note to Phoebe he spots a vulgar statement on her school wall and claims, “I’d smash his head on the stone steps till he was good and goddamn dead and bloody” (201). Without a doubt, Holden has a strong distaste about the children at the school reading it, proving his desire to protect the innocent. Lastly, as Holden waits to meet up with his old friend Sally his thoughts drift to an old museum that he used to go to as a kid, “The best thing, though, in that museum was that

He does not have many friends because he chooses not to make any. He also has a total lack of interest for his studies and for his school. Holden feels that school work is unnecessary and he doesn’t even try to succeed. In the beginning of our session, Holden mentions his old teacher Mr. Spencer. He then talks about a letter he wrote to Mr. Spencer and it said, “It is alright with me if you flunk me though as I am flunking everything else except English anyway. Respectfully yours, Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye).” From that point, I can already observe that he doesn’t care about any of his studies. In addition to this, Holden doesn’t seem to want to grow up. The fact that he’s failing every school he attends, drinks underage, and rebelling against every grown up, shows this detachment. Everyone just wants Holden to grow up and live a decent adult

There is no character that stands out against the society’s ideals and best represent for teenagers like Holden Caulfield. Like some teens, Holden does not do well in school and eventually gets kick out from one of the most prestigious schools in Agerstown, Pennsylvania: Pencey Prep. He gets so feed up with the school that he decides to leave earlier and travels to New York to have some lone times. During this period, the interactions that he has with the people he meets change his behavior and mind set, especially with Phoebe. In “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, Holden indeed is still a relatable character through his actions, feelings, and concerns to his family members, especially Phoebe.

As humans we sometimes seek isolation rather than human interaction for fear of being overwhelmed emotionally. For some people, comfort comes with the knowledge that alone, they are the masters of their own emotions, free from the pain of the world's occasional bitterness and sting. In the coming-of-age tale "Catcher in the Rye," J.D. Salinger explores this phenomenon through the voice of the narrator, Holden Caulfield. Although Holden possesses a voice of intelligence, sensitivity and insight he is also bitter with the hypocrisy and ugliness that he perceives in the world around him. The vividness with which he expresses his discontent is seen manifested in the criticisms that Holden aims at various characters throughout the story. As the

Without a sense of identity, isolation is inescapable. Holden isn’t sure of his place in the world. During a football game Holden states, “...I was standing way the hell up on top of Thomsen Hill,...the whole school except me was [at the football game],”(Salinger 5). Though Holden is close to so many people, he chooses to stand alone on a hill. Holden often sets himself apart from everyone else.

He lies to others on the outside, and never attempts to make nice with the people around him, yet he claims that people don't recognize him when he's lonely. He leaves his boarding school and goes running around New York irresponsibly instead of fessing up to himself about his real problems. At least by the end of the story, Holden has somewhat matured and understand that this side of him as a hypocrite and a self pitier is present and a

A disparate situation is presented to readers in The Catcher in the Rye. Early in the novel, Holden expresses the reason for his difficulties in school as his being: “always surrounded by phonies.”(Salinger 13) Holden is correct; he is completely incapable of relating to his peers. However he takes no time to consider potential solutions to his problem. During his conversation with Mr. Spencer, Holden communicates that he deals with his troubles by simply quitting; putting minimal effort into academics and socialization. Since Holden never addresses his emotions directly, he fails to realize

In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden’s problems are reoccuring. The constant fights he is involved with cause him to think that everyone in the world is against him. His constant judging mindset causes him to believe that everyone is a phony, and his constant fear of unwanted contact causes him to not reach out to anyone at all. Holden’s awful attitude about pretty much everything leads him to live a life of loneliness. Although it may seem near impossible due to his unpleasant attitude, Holden still just wants to be the catcher in the

Defensive Isolation Everyone has a different way of coping with things. Some people turn to drugs, some people pick up hobbies, but some people do things differently. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist, Holden, copes with the problems of his life by isolating himself. Holden has been expelled from his third private school due to his poor grades, and escapes to New York City for three days. During this time, Holden attempts to and reflects on the many different intimate relationships that reveal details about Holden’s sexuality and his intimacy problems, specifically with Sunny, Sally, and Jane.

Holden seems to imply that he is the “catcher in the rye” because he is preventing kids from falling off the cliff and losing their innocence. Adrian Furnham from psychology today says, “Repression is the primary, initial defense mechanism that protects the individual against anxiety. Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies brought into play by individuals, groups and even nations to cope with reality and to maintain self-image.” Holden never seems to be truly happy with company as he is constantly ruining their tie together by acting out or thinking negative things about the person in his mind. Donald Hall states “It is unlikely that any theory can ever fully capture the complexity of human psychology and development, which can vary widely across cultures, classes, genders, sexial orientations, and familial and other personal

Both Holden and Christopher, live in a world of confinement they prefer to be in by themselves and find reasons to dislike and distrust people around them. The theme of isolation is very evident throughout The Catcher in the Rye through the internal thoughts of Holden. Which makes him have a tendency to always end up alone despite his current situation. Due to Holden’s past of being shipped off to multiple boarding schools, he has always been able to be by himself the majority of his time and not learning to accept it, but beginning to enjoy it. Resulting from the school Holden attends, the varsity football team takes part in regular games against other opposing schools many people attend the games and enjoy them as social gatherings.

To start off, Holden had an insecure or unstable sense of self. Once Holden started on his path to the unknown, he struggled to find belonging as he would frequently change his location, hopping from place to place, and using different names. He never really discovered who he actually was and where he should belong. The only sense of security Holden had was his red hunting hat. Whenever he put his hat on he had a uplifting feeling that no one else could provide except his younger sister Phoebe. The only times that Holden found himself as a strong independent person is when he was wearing his hat. For example, "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 the goddam corridor.

In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger discusses the ideas of alienation and isolation. He notes that if one is unable to keep up with society they lose touch. Salinger portrays alienation and isolation through literary devices such as symbolism. Some of the symbolic features use in the novel is Holden’s red hunting hat which shows Holden’s uncommon desire compared to society’s desires. Another significant symbolic feature is the catcher in the rye; this represents Holden’s idea of protecting children from maturing as adults and facing reality. Another literary device is tone, although Holden seems preoccupied, he constantly tries to seek companionship throughout the book. J.D. Salinger also portrays irony, it is ironic that Holden calls the people around him loners and phonies when he, himself is a loner and a phony that refuses to accept taking on responsibilities and growing up. The literary devices used in this novel, further support Salinger’s recurring theme of alienation and isolation.