The absolute most apparent signal you to definitely Holden Caulfield, new protagonist and narrator of one’s Catcher on Rye, goes compliment of an enthusiastic existential drama is the sense of loneliness that is one another revealed clearly and can be observed implicitly inside the his behaviors. Regarding the novel, Holden isn’t observed that have one conversations that have family unit members except to have their nothing sibling Phoebe just who he’s an extremely strong contact with. Given Holden’s emotional characteristics and that characterizes probably one of the most crucial templates on novel; their deep fascination with his sibling phoebe with his lifeless sis Allie, the possible lack of psychological attachment to help you their moms and dads suggests on disconnected framework away from family relations from inside the article-combat American people. It doesn’t matter how creative Salinger are, Holden Caulfield was not exclusively the item out-of his invention. It had been and the societal, mental, political and you will historical function regarding 1950s America one created it profile and you can popularized your (Dorri, 2018, 3)
In the event their father and mother offer his economic need, Holden does not talk about any psychological relationship between themselves and his parents
Just after Holden gets intoxicated which have tried companionship in almost any individuals and you may failing continually to do so, he conveys their loneliness to your pursuing the conditions: “. I became whining and all. I’m not sure as to why, however, I found myself. I guess it absolutely was once the I was impact thus damn disheartened and you may all alone” (The Catcher on Rye, 1951, 198). As Holden try not to fulfill his need of love and mercy through their relatives, he seeks this compassion in different anyone else, some of just who he cannot even understand. The guy asks his classmate’s mommy exactly who the guy suits on train, and two cab people to have a glass or two with him, however, all of them deny their give. The guy wife honduran fits one or two nuns on a sub bar who operate friendly on him, the guy provides them with ten bucks because of their range and you can feels crappy once the the guy didn’t give much more regardless if the guy has no any spiritual connections to the cause.
I believed far more depressed than alluring” (The new Catcher on Rye, 1951, 123)
Even in the event Holden is just 16, he attempts to big date with various women of various other age, included in this being their classmate’s mom. Inside my mind, I am even the biggest sex maniac your actually saw. Sometimes I can think about really crumby articles I might maybe not mind performing if your chance came up” (New Catcher on the Rye, 1951, 81). Yet not, a closer studies signifies that what Holden very looks for is perhaps not sex however, compassion. This particular fact is the greatest depicted about world as he phone calls up a keen escort however, rejects having a sexual intercourse with their. When the escort will take off her clothes facing him, the guy seems uncanny and you may conveys which to your following words: “We indeed believed peculiar whenever she performed you to definitely. After all she did it very abrupt and all of. I understand you are supposed be very sexy when somebody becomes up-and draws its skirt over the direct, but I did not. Alluring are the last thing I found myself impression. In the event the guy denies having sexual intercourse toward escort, the guy does not want their particular to leave, since the he feels alone and tries to initiate a conversation that have their particular, hence does not make any experience to own their own in that framework.
Yet another indication one Holden Caulfield is certainly going as a result of an enthusiastic existential drama was insufficient union. The guy merely doesn’t have a road otherwise a purpose along with his life. In the book the guy doesn’t speak about any plans otherwise hopes and dreams on the their upcoming with the exception of getting out of new area the guy resides in. And his awesome alienation on community the guy resides in is because he usually do not sound right from it. That’s why he more often than not uses the expression “phony” for everyone he knowledge.