Catcher Essay

Have you ever been surround by people but yet still feel lonely? J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye involves someone who desires company while still being surrounded by many. The Catcher in the Rye is a story about a teenage boy named Holden who tell his story within a home in California. In the beginning of the story, Holden has received notice that he is being expelled, but he is not scheduled to return home until Wednesday. Instead, Holden has a three day odyssey in New York City that causes him to almost go insane. Throughout the novel, Holden the main character longs for company with other human beings.

Throughout the novel Holden says he is lonely, but fails often to reach out for some company. For example,when Holden gets off the train in New York the first thing he does is go to the phone booth. Within the novel Holden states, “...as soon as I was inside, I couldn't think of anybody to call up. My brother D.B. was in Hollywood. My kid sister Phoebe goes to bed around nine o'clock— so I couldn't call her up” (Salinger 59). Holden started to list all the people he would not call until he finally decided on something. His decision was shown when he stated, “ Then I thought of calling up this guy that went to the Whooton School when I was there, Carl Luce, but I didn't like him much. So I ended up not calling anybody. I came out of the booth, after about twenty minutes or so” (Salinger 59). Every time Holden thinks of someone to call, he decides not to because he is afraid he will have to deal with someone he does not like or adults. Not only does Holden craves company from his family and friends but also from strangers.

During his time in New York City, Holden pushes his personal boundaries regarding the social interactions he feels most comfortable with. A perfect example is when he goes to the bar and meets three women who. The women go away leaving him with the bill. This leaves Holden feeling lonely and depressed all over again. Later on...