Holden Caulfield Alienation

In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Salinger explains how a character with a unique mind and personality from others can lead into alienation. For instance, Holden Caulfield, the main character of the novel, chooses to run away from school and home because of how “different” everyone is. Compared to the people around him, Holden is lonely, a smoker, quiet, and a semi-atheist. With these factors, Holden becomes alienated from the world. As the novel explains the environment and circumstances that Holden encounters, the readers can infer that Holden tends to be alone and remain silent. For instance, when an obnoxious student named Ackley enters Holden’s dorm, Holden states “Finally, I put my book down on the floor. You couldn’t read anything with a guy like Ackley around

In his environment, Holden notices how people are covered in smiles and laughter. They do not seem to care about their childish actions. However, Holden questions everything in his life. Holden cannot decide if he is delighted with his life or upset with his life. At a few instances, Holden does consider killing himself. For instance, in chapter seven, Holden states “Every time I thought about it, I felt like jumping out the window (Salinger 48).” His imagination and thoughts differ from everyone around him. With the thoughts that swarm Holden’s mind, it cause Holden to become more alienated from the world and his family. At the end of the novel, Holden returns home and is taken to a hospital. The book does not state why he is placed in the hospital. However, readers can infer that Holden has depression, causing him to become alienated. Also, in chapter fourteen, Holden even cries “Boy, I felt miserable. I felt so depressed, you can’t imagine (Salinger 98).” Holden uses the term, “depressed,” as an exaggeration, but he does not realize until the end of his journey that he is mentally