Isolation In Catcher In The Rye And Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Isolation is a psychological state that hinders any social ties from being knotted. It shatters humans, plunging them into a downward-spiraling cycle of destructive behaviors. Though predominantly caused by a disconnection from society, loneliness can also be due to a fear of rejection. Two classics that give an unorthodox portrayal of this concept are “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D Salinger and “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Coleridge. As the authors were influenced by contrasting historical movements, the stories contain different perceptions of isolation. Yet both can successfully justify their ideas through a multitude of techniques.

In the texts, the author’s maxims are continuously entwined with the storyline. “Catcher in the Rye” for example satirizes the fault of humans by allowing the reader to see society through the heavily cynical mind of J.D Salinger. The 1951 novel was speaks of a rebel living in a decade largely described as the epitome of materialism. Throughout the book, Salinger expresses his distain for people who want to aspire to the superficial and egoistic status quos of such a period. He proclaimed, "I’m just sick of ego, ego, ego. … I’m sick of everybody that wants to get somewhere, do something distinguished and all, be somebody
Salinger entraps the reader into a conversation with Holden by telling the story through first person and its raw emotion allows us to easily sympathize with him. An example of this is when he says “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around…” However, this outburst of emotion harshly contradicts the unreliable narrating of the protagonist. Holden would much rather have the audience think he is a lonesome rebel. Thus by including emotive language Salinger shows his creation is really a loving and sensitive man, alone because he is unable to outwardly express