Holden Caulfield Appearance

ENGLISH ESSAY
The combination of a dire lack of empathetic human interaction, excessive emphasis on physical appearance and the hypocritical nature of the adults makes the world Holden Caulfield lives in a bleak moral climate that destroys the soul in pieces. And if he were alive today, Holden would despise the current society because of it’s superficiality and obsession with technology.
From the beginning of the story, Holden Caulfield’s interactions with the people around him reflect the obliviousness of others toward his problems. His roommate Stradlater resorts to interacting with him, only to gain something. He uses Holden’s jacket and asks him to write an essay for him. Despite his strong affection and concern for Jane, whom Stradlater might try to have sex with, he obliges. But his small act of kindness is not
reciprocated as Stradlater complains about the relevance of the essay, eventually prompting a fist fight between them. The revelation about Allie’s gloves, when Holden writes Stradlater’s essay, clearly points out the source of Holden’s emotional breakdown. Yet, none of the people he interacts with show any empathy for his situation. Holden says, “Sometimes I act a lot older than I am - I really do - but people never notice it. People never notice anything.” (Salinger, 13) The repetition of the word “never” magnifies people’s painful indifference to his emotional struggles. Sally, whom he virtually loves, shows a lack of understanding for his plight of not being able to deal with reality. She only ridicules his idea of living in the cabin with him. This partially contributes to the adoption of a cynical perception of the world by Holden that protects his fragile self, yet eventually destroys him. His fascination with the Museum of Natural History reflects the lack of sympathy in his world which pushes him to seek refuge in idealistic fantasy.
His detailed description of Mr.
Spencer’s aging appearance, and Ackley’s repulsive habits, show the excessive emphasis placed on physical appearance. Even in his conversation with Mr. Antolini, which is his final attempt to understand the adult world that eludes him, he is disgusted by Mrs. Antolini’s appearance without make-up and Mr. Antolini’s excessive drinking. This conceited preoccupation with people’s appearance leads to his isolation and ultimate breakdown. By deflecting his attention from introspection and dealing with his inability in communicating with others, he creates a world of cynicism. For instance, when Mr. Spencer was sincerely urging Holden to apply himself, he says,“ But I just couldn’t hang around there any longer, the way he kept missing the bed whenever he chucked something at it, and his sad old bathrobe with his chest showing, and that grippy smell of Vicks Nose Drops all over the place,”(Salinger,15). Holden only focuses on the unpleasantness of the Spencer’s appearance and doesn’t appreciate the genuine concern shown by the teacher, and yet, throughout the story, Holden talks about his aversion to
“phoniness”.
About his departure from his school, Holden says, “ One of the big reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. That’s all”.(Salinger, 13) By using the word “phonies”, Holden shows the hypocrisy that surrounds him. His roommate Stradlater grooms himself up all fancy but doesn’t take the time to clean up his lather and hair-filled razor. Particularly, the incident of the prostitute, Sunny and the operator, Maurice reaffirms his opinion that adults are corrupt and hypocritical.
Even Mr. Antolini, whom he regards with trust, inquires about his girlfriend and leaves an impression of making homosexual advances toward him.
If Holden were alive today, he would have to go to a mental asylum. His chaotic emotion and psychological baggage would find no solace in fast-paced tech-savvy society. He would despise the superficiality of television and it’s effect on people.