By far the most obvious signal one Holden Caulfield, the newest protagonist additionally the narrator of your Catcher regarding Rye, is certian compliment of a keen existential drama ‘s the sense of loneliness which is one another found explicitly and can be viewed implicitly inside the his practices. Regarding novel, Holden is not noticed which have people discussions which have family but having his little sibling Phoebe which he has an incredibly deep connection with. Considering Holden’s psychological characteristics and this characterizes probably one of the most very important templates on unique; their strong love for their sister phoebe with his dry brother Allie, the possible lack of psychological connection so you’re able to their moms and dads means on disconnected build out of family members inside the post-conflict American society. It doesn’t matter how imaginative Salinger are, Holden Caulfield wasn’t only this product from his development. It absolutely was plus the social, mental, political and you can historic means off 1950s The united states one created that it reputation and you may promoted your (Dorri, 2018, 3)
Even though his dad and mom provide his financial need, Holden cannot mention one emotional relationship ranging from themselves and his awesome mothers
Just after Holden becomes intoxicated having found company in almost any people and you will failing woefully to do it, the guy conveys his loneliness towards adopting the terminology: “. I happened to be sobbing and all. I’m not sure as to the reasons, however, I was. I suppose it was since the I was effect very are all girls hot in nicaragua really disheartened and you will lonesome” (New Catcher from the Rye, 1951, 198). Because the Holden try not to see his need of love and you can compassion as a result of his loved ones, he tries that it compassion in different others, several of whom he doesn’t know. The guy requires their classmate’s mommy exactly who the guy meets into the instruct, as well as 2 taxi drivers having a glass or two having him, but them reject his give. He matches one or two nuns from the a sandwich bar which operate amicable into the him, the guy provides them with $10 because of their range and you will feels bad once the the guy did not offer so much more even in the event he doesn’t have one spiritual involvement with the end in.
I sensed a whole lot more disheartened than sexy” (The latest Catcher on Rye, 1951, 123)
Even though Holden is sixteen, he tries to day with various women regarding various other many years, among them being his classmate’s mom. Within my head, I am possibly the biggest sex maniac you previously saw. Sometimes I’m able to think of extremely crumby content I’d not mind starting in the event the options emerged” (The newest Catcher about Rye, 1951, 81). But not, a deeper investigation shows that just what Holden really looks for is maybe not sex but compassion. This fact is the best represented about world as he calls upwards an enthusiastic escort but rejects having a sexual intercourse with their particular. When the escort will take off their own clothes before your, the guy seems uncanny and you can expresses so it toward following conditions: “I indeed thought peculiar when she did you to definitely. I am talking about she did it so abrupt and all of. I understand you are going feel quite alluring whenever anybody becomes up-and draws their skirt over its head, but I didn’t. Sexy are the worst thing I was effect. Even though he denies to possess sexual intercourse on the escort, he doesn’t want their particular to go out of, since the the guy feels lonely and you may tries to initiate a discussion that have their unique, and therefore doesn’t make any feel having their unique for the reason that perspective.
Yet another signal that Holden Caulfield is certainly going through a keen existential drama are shortage of relationship. He simply doesn’t have a road or a purpose with his lifetime. On guide the guy doesn’t discuss any preparations otherwise ambitions on the his future apart from leaving the new people he stays in. And his awesome alienation on community he lives in is mainly because the guy don’t add up from it. That is why he almost always uses the expression “phony” for all he encounters.