Isolation In Catcher In The Rye
Self-isolation Benedict Arnold, an allusion Salinger uses in The Catcher in the Rye, greatly helps enhance Holden’s story and contributes to the theme of isolation and loneliness. First of all, Benedict Arnold was a traitor, and hid his true identity from everybody he knew. Much like him, Holden pretends to be fine, even though he is extremely hurt and depressed because of Allie’s death. Holden gives us a glimpse of his concealment when he says that he “didn’t want anyone to know that I was even wounded. I was concealing the fact that I was a wounded sonuvabitch” (195). By not allowing other people to know about his pain, he is isolating himself from other people because they have no idea what is going on with him, which makes him extremely
lonely, further isolating him and preventing him from functioning in society. In addition, Benedict Arnold was not well liked by his subordinates and fellow officers because he constantly argued over the smallest things. Although Holden is not known to argue a lot, he does manage to anger many people with his attitude and actions. For example, Holden tells Sally Hayes that she gives him a “royal pain in the ass” (173), which makes her very unhappy. Also, he pesters Carl Luce with immature questions like “How’s your sex life?” (187), and “You like ‘em old?” (189). By doing this, Holden causes other people to dislike conversing or being with him, which isolates him even more from others. All in all, the use of the historical figure, Benedict Arnold, greatly helps the readers understand Holden’s story better and adds to the theme of isolation and loneliness in The Catcher in the Rye.
lonely, further isolating him and preventing him from functioning in society. In addition, Benedict Arnold was not well liked by his subordinates and fellow officers because he constantly argued over the smallest things. Although Holden is not known to argue a lot, he does manage to anger many people with his attitude and actions. For example, Holden tells Sally Hayes that she gives him a “royal pain in the ass” (173), which makes her very unhappy. Also, he pesters Carl Luce with immature questions like “How’s your sex life?” (187), and “You like ‘em old?” (189). By doing this, Holden causes other people to dislike conversing or being with him, which isolates him even more from others. All in all, the use of the historical figure, Benedict Arnold, greatly helps the readers understand Holden’s story better and adds to the theme of isolation and loneliness in The Catcher in the Rye.