Holden's Loneliness In The Catcher In The Rye

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Finally, outsiders are the people not belonging to any particular group in the society. Their unique thoughts—cherishing innocent and hating phoniness, provides an excuse for them to withdraw into their cynical isolation, it is rather apparent that loneliness is the most conspicuous characteristic of all the outsiders. Throughout The Catcher in The Rye, Holden’s loneliness is a more concrete manifestation of his isolation problem, as he tells to his history teacher Mr. Spencer, he feels trapped on “the other side” of life, he seems to be excluded from and victimized by the society surrounding him. In Chapter 7, “It [makes] me too sad and lonesome...I put my red hunting hat on, and turn the peak around to the back, the way I like it.” (J. D. Salinger, 51-51) Holden feels lonely and he even wants to die because none of his classmates…show more content…
This hunting hat becomes outlandish. On one side, it shows that Holden desires to be different from people around him, on the other side; it represents Holden’s almost manic quest for companionship. As such, interrelation with others usually overwhelm and confuse Holden, although he desperately looks forward to build relationship with others, his cynical sense of superiority serves as a type of self-protection, which prevents contact and love from others, this conflict causes his loneliness and sadness. According to the Longman Dictionary, the wallflower is someone who has no one to dance with or who feels shy, awkward, or excluded at a party. Charlie is a typical “wallflower” in his high school (Stephen Chbosky, 47), on page 31, Charlie goes to a school dance, he does not find any dancing partner so he just sits in the background, taps his toe, and looks at people holding hands in the

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