Holden Caulfield Outcast Analysis

From the beginning of Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has kept himself on the outskirts of society. The first time he really demonstrates this is on page 5, when he’s describing the view from on top of Thomsen Hill. Everyone is at the game, screaming and cheering for Pencey to win. He had just gotten kicked out of
Pencey Prep for failing four of his five classes, so him standing on top of the hill is both a literal and metaphorical statement of how he doesn’t belong there. By being physically separated from the rest of the students, Salinger is saying right away that Holden is different, that he’s an outcast. Holden Caulfield has severe depression, and he seems to recognize this within himself. He doesn’t know that there are things he can do to help himself. This in itself is extremely isolating, and can make one feel disenfranchised. Holden is feeling the effects of disenfranchisement at the hands of depression on page 116, when he states, “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide.” Because of his depression, he doesn’t realize that there are others who may feel this way as well. It’s caused Holden to adopt a “me versus them” mindset that has created these feelings of disenfranchisement in himself. In
“People always clap for the wrong things,” he says, expressing his displeasure at people being support of a guy who is the definition of a celebrity jerk (94). His thought is, why are all these people giving support to a guy who wouldn’t give them the time of day if they’re not famous? Why is Ernie’s lack of kindness being ignored in favor of his talent? This is something that society still struggles with today, showing people who are fundamentally problematic with love and praise. What sets Holden apart is that he doesn’t have this problem. When he recognizes someone or something as being bad, he refuses to support them anymore. It’s very black and white for