The absolute most obvious signal one Holden Caulfield, this new protagonist and narrator of your Catcher regarding Rye, goes by way of an existential crisis ‘s the sense of loneliness that’s each other found explicitly and can be seen implicitly when you look at the their behaviors. Regarding the book, Holden isn’t seen that have any discussions that have family members but to have his nothing cousin Phoebe whom he’s an extremely deep contact with. Considering Holden’s mental characteristics which characterizes one of the most very important themes on novel; their deep love for his aunt phoebe along with his dry sis Allie, having less mental accessory so you’re able to their mothers suggests to the fragmented construction regarding friends during the post-war American neighborhood. No matter how imaginative Salinger are, Holden Caulfield wasn’t only the merchandise regarding their innovation. It absolutely was also the public, mental, political and you will historic mode regarding 1950s America one to written it reputation and popularized him (Dorri, 2018, 3)
In the event their mom and dad provide his financial means, Holden will not explore any emotional dating ranging from himself and his parents
Immediately after Holden becomes inebriated with needed companionship in various some body and you will neglecting to get it done, he expresses their loneliness into the pursuing the terminology: “. I found myself sobbing and all. I am not sure as to the reasons, however, I happened to be. Perhaps it was since the I happened to be feeling thus really depressed and you will flying solo” (Brand new Catcher on Rye, 1951, 198). Because the Holden try not to fulfill their necessity of love and you can mercy compliment of their family members, he seeks so it mercy in different anybody else, a number of whom the guy does not even know. The guy asks their classmate’s mother just who he suits to the instruct, and two taxi people to own a glass or two that have him, but all of them reject his promote. He fits two nuns on a sub club which react amicable to the him, the guy gives them $10 because of their range and seems bad as the guy don’t bring more although the guy doesn’t have one spiritual involvement with their lead to.
I felt even more depressed than simply sexy” (New Catcher about Rye, 1951, 123)
Though Holden is merely 16, he tries to date with assorted women out-of additional age, one of them getting his classmate’s mom. During my head, I’m probably the most significant sex maniac you previously spotted. Possibly I’m able to consider really crumby stuff I might maybe not head carrying out if for example the options came up” (The fresh Catcher on Rye, 1951, 81). Yet not, a better investigation shows that exactly what Holden very looks for try perhaps not sex however, compassion. This reality is best illustrated regarding the world as he phone calls right up an enthusiastic escort but denies for an effective sexual intercourse with their. If the escort takes off their particular dresses facing him, the guy seems uncanny and expresses it towards following terminology: “We certainly noticed peculiar when she performed one. I mean she achieved it very abrupt and all. I know you are supposed getting very sexy whenever anyone gets up and pulls their dress more than its head, however, I did not. Alluring is actually the last thing I became impact. Even when he rejects to possess sexual intercourse into escort, he does not want their particular to depart, because the the guy feels alone and tries to begin a discussion having their, and therefore doesn’t make feel for their unique where framework.
A different signal that Holden Caulfield goes compliment of an existential drama are shortage of relationship. The guy just does not have any a path otherwise a purpose together with his lifestyle. From the book he cannot discuss any preparations or desires from the his coming with the exception of leaving new community the guy stays in. Along with his alienation into the community the guy stays in is really because the guy try not to make sense from it. This is exactly why the guy more often than not spends the expression “phony” for everyone the guy knowledge.