The most obvious sign you to definitely Holden Caulfield, new protagonist in addition to narrator of your Catcher on the Rye, is certian courtesy an existential drama is the sense of loneliness which is each other revealed clearly and can be viewed implicitly when you look at the their behavior. On unique, Holden is not seen that have any talks which have nearest and dearest but having their absolutely nothing cousin Phoebe which they have an extremely strong experience of. Offered Holden’s emotional character which characterizes probably one of the most extremely important themes in the novel; their deep love for their sibling phoebe along with his inactive sis Allie, the lack of emotional accessory to their moms and dads means into fragmented structure away from household members when you look at the blog post-battle American people. No matter how imaginative Salinger is, Holden Caulfield was not only the product off his creativity. It absolutely was plus the societal, emotional, political and you may historical function off 1950s The united states one created so it character and you will promoted him (Dorri, 2018, 3)
Although his dad and mom give their monetary needs, Holden does not discuss one emotional relationships between himself and his mothers
After Holden will get intoxicated which have tried company in numerous individuals and you may failing to get it done, he conveys their loneliness for the pursuing the terms: “. I became sobbing hot australian girl and all of. I don’t know as to the reasons, but I found myself. Perhaps it actually was as the I found myself perception thus damn depressed and you will all alone” (The fresh new Catcher regarding Rye, 1951, 198). Given that Holden usually do not meet their necessity of like and you will compassion as a consequence of his members of the family, the guy tries which mercy in different someone else, the exactly who he cannot even comprehend. He asks their classmate’s mom which the guy fits towards the illustrate, as well as 2 cab people getting a glass or two which have him, however, them reject his offer. The guy matches two nuns at a sandwich bar exactly who perform friendly towards him, the guy provides them with ten bucks because of their range and you will feels crappy since he did not provide alot more although the guy doesn’t have people religious involvement with the end in.
We believed a great deal more depressed than simply sexy” (The latest Catcher regarding Rye, 1951, 123)
Even though Holden is just 16, he attempts to big date with different women away from additional ages, among them being their classmate’s mommy. Within my mind, I’m perhaps the greatest sex maniac your ever before watched. Possibly I could remember most crumby articles I’d maybe not head doing when your options came up” (The fresh Catcher from the Rye, 1951, 81). Yet not, a closer study signifies that just what Holden really looks for are perhaps not sex but compassion. This particular fact is the best depicted in the scene when he phone calls right up an enthusiastic escort but rejects to have a good sexual intercourse with their own. If escort will be taking off her attire in front of him, the guy feels uncanny and you may expresses which toward adopting the terms and conditions: “We indeed experienced strange when she performed you to definitely. After all she did it thus abrupt as well as. I understand you are heading be quite sexy when somebody will get up and brings the dress more than its direct, but I didn’t. Alluring is actually the last thing I was perception. Even when he rejects getting sexual intercourse to the escort, he doesn’t want their unique to go away, because he feels alone and you may tries to start a conversation with her, which will not make experience to own their own in this framework.
Yet another sign you to definitely Holden Caulfield is going by way of a keen existential crisis try decreased commitment. The guy just has no a road or a function together with his lifetime. From the book he does not discuss one preparations or hopes and dreams regarding the his future except for leaving the fresh area he resides in. With his alienation into the people the guy stays in is really because the guy dont seem sensible from it. That is why the guy always uses the word “phony” for all he activities.