Holden's Isolation

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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 Salinger writes Holden’s character as one who is isolated from his peers; he is withdrawn into his own mind.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 from intimacy and human interaction is what ultimately drives him to a tragic, mental breakdown. Holden’s isolation is evident because he purposely pushes himself away from everyone that surrounds him. At his preparatory school, the annual grudge…show more content…
Behind his judgmental facade, he harbors a multitude of insecurities. He protects himself with an armor of cynicism. Holden is a very egotistical and self-centered character who is unable to empathize with other people, causing him to feel different, like a lone wolf. Due to his inability to empathize with others, he has an extremely difficult time forming relationships with other people. He has an innate sense that he is somehow not the same as everyone else, which causes him to be detached from…show more content…
Holden is transfixed upon the idea of remaining in the pure and innocent state of childhood. His desire to remain in this state is a possible explanation as to why he is a virgin and represses his homosexual desires. One of the most prolific examples of irony in the entire novel is Holden’s disgust at the profanity written on the wall at his sister Phoebe’s school. He is disgusted by it because it corrupts his fantasy of innocence and purity, yet he constantly uses vulgar expressions such as “fuck you” and “God dammit” to express his thoughts and emotions. This is further evidence of the degradation of his mental state which ultimately results in his placement in a mental
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