Examples Of Isolation In Catcher In The Rye

Submitted By mbalch97
Words: 320
Pages: 2

Isolated Existence Throughout the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D.Salinger’s message portrayed is without the love and support of friends and family, we would all feel isolated. Holden is constantly feeling alienated because he doesn't put forth the effort to be friends with people, such as “the Saturday of the football game. […] I remember around three o'clock that afternoon I was standing way the hell up on top of Thomsen Hill. […] You could see the whole field from there (Salinger 2). Holden shows no effort in walking down to the student section to socialize with all the other kids, he finds it hard to connect with others. Holden repeatedly expresses his loneliness to us, hoping someone can come into his life and be strong for him. He “got up and went over and looked out the window. I felt so lonesome, all of a sudden. I almost wished I was dead” (48). This is the first time we see Holden admitting to his depression, but still no one makes any effort to help him through his, leaving him to feel nothing but isolation from the world. As Holden makes his way back home, he is desperate to find someone to hangout with, he asks the cab driver, "take me to the Edmont then," I said. "Would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me, I'm loaded." (60). Holden feels as though he is making an effort to meet people, but now no one is returning the favor. Having very few people you can turn to in the world is hard on Holden, and Salinger depicts this message