Holden's isolation from society highlights how society values conformity and obedience even at the cost of one's identity. Throughout the novel Holden does not find anyone that shares his same disgust for society and he does not understand why all of society conforms to specific norms and acts a certain way. For example, when Holden is in a night club in New York City and he comes across one of the many habits of humanity he despises. Holden says to the reader, “You should’ve heard the crowd, though, when he was finished. You would’ve puked. They went mad” (Salinger 94). Holden’s reaction to the crowd expresses his critical view of others. Also, clapping for a performer is an expected action from the audience, but while everyone in the nightclub
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All of Holden’s life his peers have formed groups based on a common interest like religion. Holden describes the cliques at Pencey Prep and how he does not share any of the same interests as anyone else at his school. He says, “The guys that are on the basketball team stick together, the Catholics stick together, the goddamn intellectuals stick together” (Salinger 146). Holden’s contrasted values with other groups existing in society reveal how he feels as if he doesn’t belong anywhere. While groups of society, specifically at Pencey, may bend their beliefs to fit in with a certain group or team, Holden does not ever sway from his core values. This creates difficulties for Holden when making friends. After discussing these different groups Holden comes to the conclusion that "he is sort of an atheist. He likes Jesus and all, but he doesn’t care too much for most of the other stuff" (Salinger 94). Holden being an atheist represents his isolation from any organized group of, not just religion, but people. Even with pressure from Holden’s peers and family, he still admirably sticks to his beliefs. The norm of society is to practice a religion that corresponds with your own beliefs and even though Holden’s family does not expect him to do so he still does not have a group to fit in with. There are many ways Holden could try to be involved in …show more content…
Holden isolates himself in belief that no one is able to keep their identity and values from changing after they have given into the patterns of society. Especially when society puts such heavy praise on materialism and obedience. Holden is at Mr. Antolini’s house, when Mr. Antolini was attempting to convince him that alienating himself from society is not beneficial to him, which counters what he has believed to be true throughout the novel. Mr. Antolini says to Holden, “you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused or even sickened by human behavior” (Salinger 205). Mr. Antolini’s analysis of Holden emphasizes that Holden’s detachment from society is purely by choice. Holden chose to not let go of his core beliefs to obey society. This also implies that if Holden wanted to, he could make the effort to branch out and make friends. In general, Holden “is usually against both the materialism and ugliness of our society” (Han). This prevents him from having any desire what so ever, unless derived from loneliness, to reach out to his peers or to participate as an active student in
All of Holden’s life his peers have formed groups based on a common interest like religion. Holden describes the cliques at Pencey Prep and how he does not share any of the same interests as anyone else at his school. He says, “The guys that are on the basketball team stick together, the Catholics stick together, the goddamn intellectuals stick together” (Salinger 146). Holden’s contrasted values with other groups existing in society reveal how he feels as if he doesn’t belong anywhere. While groups of society, specifically at Pencey, may bend their beliefs to fit in with a certain group or team, Holden does not ever sway from his core values. This creates difficulties for Holden when making friends. After discussing these different groups Holden comes to the conclusion that "he is sort of an atheist. He likes Jesus and all, but he doesn’t care too much for most of the other stuff" (Salinger 94). Holden being an atheist represents his isolation from any organized group of, not just religion, but people. Even with pressure from Holden’s peers and family, he still admirably sticks to his beliefs. The norm of society is to practice a religion that corresponds with your own beliefs and even though Holden’s family does not expect him to do so he still does not have a group to fit in with. There are many ways Holden could try to be involved in …show more content…
Holden isolates himself in belief that no one is able to keep their identity and values from changing after they have given into the patterns of society. Especially when society puts such heavy praise on materialism and obedience. Holden is at Mr. Antolini’s house, when Mr. Antolini was attempting to convince him that alienating himself from society is not beneficial to him, which counters what he has believed to be true throughout the novel. Mr. Antolini says to Holden, “you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused or even sickened by human behavior” (Salinger 205). Mr. Antolini’s analysis of Holden emphasizes that Holden’s detachment from society is purely by choice. Holden chose to not let go of his core beliefs to obey society. This also implies that if Holden wanted to, he could make the effort to branch out and make friends. In general, Holden “is usually against both the materialism and ugliness of our society” (Han). This prevents him from having any desire what so ever, unless derived from loneliness, to reach out to his peers or to participate as an active student in