Holden Caulfield is the main character and narrator of Catcher in the Rye. The story is given after the fact in a stream of consciousness, as Holden is in a rest home. Holden alienates himself to provide a sense of protection from the “real” world he must start living in. He describes adulthood as superficial, hypercritical, and shallow. He believes that he is above the adult world, as all adults are phonies. Holden believes that phoniness is what is wrong in the world and is his excuse for alienating
The universally acclaimed novel, The Catcher in The Rye, has confounded critics and readers alike. It is an extremely controversial literary work, navigating the oftentimes murky waters of human sexuality, emotions, and sense of belonging. Throughout J.D. Salinger’s coming-of-age tale, themes of alienation and isolation are displayed prevalently. Salinger writes Holden’s character as one who is isolated from his peers; he is withdrawn into his own mind. Holden’s isolation from society and alienation
Martha Beck, once said “, loneliness is proof that our innate search for connection is intact.” While written years before Beck was born, J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye reflects Beck’s message perfectly. Throughout the novel, Holden constantly faces neglect from mature individuals who are meant to guide him. He often uses skepticism and censure as a defense mechanism to protect himself from the rejection of those individuals. Salinger employs symbolism to communicate that some adolescents