Catcher In The Rye Loneliness Analysis

Words: 633
Pages: 3

This world is crowded with desperate people longing for human interaction on deeper levels. This concept was clearly captured in the novel Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Through the entire book the main character Holden Caulfield experiences an isolation from the world, and is constantly struggling for any kind of interaction. This narrates the overall theme of Holden’s loneliness as he tries to navigate his challenges. Holden's loneliness is obvious from the beginning at the football game. Holden was standing adjacent to a Revolutionary War cannon on a hill and said, “You could see the whole field from there, and you could see the two teams bashing each other all over the place. You couldn't see the grandstand to hot, but you could hear them all yelling deep and terrific on the Pencey side because practically the whole school except me was there[...](Salinger 2).” Holden keys us in right away while everyone was being entertained by the game he had isolated himself on a hill a great distance from the stands not socializing with anyone. He is in desperate need of some friends but doesn’t know how to go about making them. He needs people who will help him dig out of his depression and loneliness and start looking on the brighter side of the …show more content…
Holden grabs a cab and ends up starting a conversation with this random guy even though he could care less about Holden. This kid is so desperate for connection with people he would talk to anyone. Holden had a long and pointless conversation with the crazy cab driver leaving Holden more confused with his life than he started with. As the car ride continues Holden said, “Would you care to stop off and have a drink with me somewhere,(Salinger 83)? He was so desperate for that connection he asked a complete stranger to have a drink with him. This boy is just a teenager and is going through a hard time and just wants someone who would listen to him without