The essential noticeable indication one Holden Caulfield, the newest protagonist and the narrator of the Catcher on the Rye, is going owing to an existential drama is the feeling of loneliness that is one another revealed clearly and certainly will be viewed implicitly when you look at the his behavior. From the novel, Holden isn’t observed having one discussions which have family but to have his nothing sister Phoebe which he has got an extremely deep experience of. Provided Holden’s mental nature hence characterizes probably one of the most crucial themes in the book; their deep fascination with his cousin phoebe along with his inactive brother Allie, the deficiency of emotional connection so you can their parents suggests into disconnected design away from loved ones from inside the blog post-conflict Western people. Regardless of what innovative Salinger was, Holden Caulfield wasn’t solely the item away from their advancement. It actually was in addition to the public, psychological, governmental and you will historic means out-of 1950s The united states one composed so it profile and you may popularized him (Dorri, 2018, 3)
Even in the event his dad and mum provide their financial demands, Holden does not explore people psychological relationships ranging from himself and his parents
Just after Holden becomes drunk that have sought companionship in different individuals and failing continually to exercise, the guy conveys his loneliness for the following terms: “. I found myself crying and all. I don’t know as to the reasons, but I found myself. I suppose it absolutely was just like the I became feeling therefore damn depressed and you will all alone” (The brand new Catcher regarding the Rye, 1951, 198). Since Holden do not satisfy his need of love and you may mercy because of their relatives, the guy tries this mercy in different other people, a number of who he doesn’t know. He asks his classmate’s mother just who the guy suits with the show, and two cab people getting a drink which have your, but all of them refuse their offer. He fits two nuns within a sandwich pub who operate amicable into the your, the guy gives them $10 due to their collection and you may seems crappy since the guy did not render way more even if he doesn’t have people spiritual involvement with its result in.
We considered a whole lot more depressed than just alluring” (The brand new Catcher on Rye, 1951, 123)
Regardless if Holden simply sixteen, the guy tries to time with different female of some other many years, among them being his classmate’s mommy. In my own attention, I am probably the biggest sex maniac your ever before spotted. Both I will contemplate really crumby articles I’d perhaps not mind creating when your chance emerged” (The Catcher on Rye, 1951, 81). Yet not, a deeper investigation shows that exactly what Holden very actively seeks are maybe not sex but mercy. This fact is best represented regarding scene as he calls up an escort however, rejects to possess an excellent sexual intercourse which have her. If the escort takes off their own attire facing him, the guy feels uncanny and you will expresses so it towards the following the terms: “I certainly thought strange when she did one to. What i’m saying is she made it happen very sudden and all. I’m sure you are going be pretty alluring whenever individuals gets up and pulls its top more its direct, however, I did not. Alluring is the worst thing I was effect. Even in the event the guy rejects to have sexual intercourse for the escort, he doesn’t want her to go away, while the the guy seems lonely and tries to initiate are british women the most beautiful a discussion that have their own, hence doesn’t make experience to have their own in that perspective.
A separate sign you to Holden Caulfield is certainly going as a result of an existential drama are insufficient union. The guy simply has no a path otherwise a purpose together with lifetime. On the book the guy does not discuss one agreements or aspirations in the his future with the exception of leaving the new neighborhood he resides in. Along with his alienation toward people the guy resides in is because the guy never sound right of it. That’s why the guy more often than not spends the phrase “phony” people he experiences.