Jordan LondonMiss RaubEnglishMarch 13, 2014Alienation: Holden Caulfield's Path to Self-ProtectionIt is clear from reading The Catcher in the Rye that one of the main themes of novel is alienation. The theme of alienation is most clearly seen as a form of self-protection through the actions of The Catcher in the Rye's protagonist, Holden Caulfield. The isolation that Caulfield imposed on himself as a form of protection can be seen in his physical isolation from the outside world, his constant acts of lying, and his condemnation of society as "phony." The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the story of Holden Caulfield. travels to New York after learning he has failed out of the fictional Pencey Preparatory School. Caulfield, a troubled sixteen-year-old boy, is a complete stranger to his surroundings and society at large. (Telgen 120) Caulfield is not alienated by others, rather he chooses to alienate himself. He feels a desire for isolation sometimes because he cannot stand the company of others, or because he is disappointed in their company, and at other times because he feels the need to chase others away. (Engel 53) CAULFIELD'S PHYSICAL ISOLATION FROM THE WORLD Caulfield chooses to physically isolate himself throughout The Catcher in the Rye. Holden tells his story while isolated in a “crummy place.” When talking about his brother DB, Holden indirectly reveals that he is in a mental hospital. “It's not too far from this seedy [sic] place, and he comes to visit me almost every weekend. Maybe he'll drive me home when I get home next month. (Salinger 1) Caulfield's presence in a mental hospital reveals to the reader that he is seriously insane. Caulfield's isolation...... middle of paper ...... catch in the rye is due to his rebellion against all the deceptions of the world about which he constantly complains. Holden constantly criticizes people for being fake, when ironically, he too is fake. Believing that the world around him is not authentic and that he is one of the few truly authentic people, Caulfield feels protected and safe. But as a result, he forces himself to alienate himself.CONCLUSIONHolden Caulfield is clearly at odds with society. He prefers isolation rather than the company of others. He often lies when it is not necessary. And he considers most people impostors without reasoning it out himself. It is clear that Holden Caulfield alienates himself to protect himself. There is no doubt that this is a troubled person who desperately needs help. Perhaps Caulfield found help in the "shabby place" where the novel began..