Catcher in the Rye: Holden's Alienation

Throughout the novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, the protagonist, Holden Calulfield is portrayed as an individual who is struggling to find his identity and purpose in a materialistic and “phony” world. Holden is personally alienated from society because his view and values are different from society’s materialistic values and the American culture. Holden is isolated from his family, school, and social setting of New York City as a form of self-protection. As he becomes so depressed he seeks the advice of male role models, Carl Luce and Mr. Antolini, who help him discover how he can change his perspective on himself and society. Salinger explores the theme of how an adolescent of only 13 years old can develop a sense of not belonging within their materialistic family, school and society, which has lead to severe depression. He seems to suggest that showing the young adolescent the important role of developing a mind brings an academic and societal sense of connection.
Holden is personally alienated at because of a lack of parental love. In chapter the reader learns that Holden’s younger brother, Allie, died of leukemia when Holden was 13. Holden becomes so emotionally affected by this loss that he becomes depressed. The night his brother died, Holden “broke as the ...windows [of the garage] with [his] fists, just for the hell of it,” (39) and it leads to his parents wanting to send him away to be psychoanalysed. This avoidance from his parents of not helping Holden deal with his grief especially at such a young age, leads him to have a life of isolation as he does not want to have to go through that pain of loss again. Therefore, not only does Holden lose his brother but also becomes emotionally disconnected from his parents as well. Holden parents’ absence, both physically and emotionally, from Holden’s life prevented them from giving their son the love and guidance he very desperately needed. The alienation at home continues with Holden’s cynical...