Catcher

1. Holden Caulfield self- isolates himself from the world. In some cases he knows that he is purposefully and in other cases Holden does this because he doesn’t react well to other people. This self-isolating is the reason that Holden often fails with human contact. The first time that Holden shows this is when he is talking to his teacher Mr. Spencer. Holden explains as he walks onto hi room that he does not want to be there because his teacher is sick and he does not care for old people. This is the first signs showing that Holden is negative towards having this talk and being one on one with his teacher. As the talk goes further in and Spencer tries to delve further into Holden’s issues, Holden retreats more into himself. By his happening, he is not able to have a full conversation with his teacher but more of talking to himself. The next time Holden Fails to make contact is when he is on a date with Sally. The date comes to its horrific ending when Holden closes into himself and starts to talk to Sally as if she wasn’t there. Holden gets more and more get into his own head as Sally tries to bring him out of it. When Sally has brought Holden to full annoyance over the fact that she will not let him fully retreat into himself he becomes angry and pushes her away. The last time Holden shows his failures at making human contact is the very last chapter when he is talking to his readers. As the book unfurls so does Holden he starts to open up and tell his readers everything that he is feeling. When the last chapter comes Holden suddenly stops and retreats back into himself and becomes more quiet and aloof. By Holden sudden decision of pulling back he was never able to completely open up and explain who he really is one again, self-isolating himself and failing to make human contact.
2. Some critics suggest that Holden is too sensitive and that he is unable to deal with the pain and ugliness of modern life. Others suggest that Holden is simply afraid to grown up.