Alienation in J. D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye"

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, University of Tubingen, course: Hauptseminar Literary & Cultural Studies, "The Beat Generation" (Post Civil War), language: English, abstract: This term paper wants to examine the protagonist¿s behavior in "The Catcher in the Rye" and analyze where his negativity towards society is coming from. Furthermore, the author wants to prove that his isolation is the reason for his alienation, with which he thinks that he can protect himself but, in truth, prevents him from getting help.

Alienation is an essential concept in social philosophy, functioning as the key term and a diagnostic tool for the study of a social crisis that is present since the 18th century. The theory is often associated to be the main criticism of the concept of capitalism and overall describes the powerlessness and the lack of freedom of our society. Reason for that is the accompanying increasing focus on making a profit and the affection towards materialism. Both are depicted to be the trigger for the growing divisiveness between humans and the world and thus, used as an explanation for social suffering.

However, this is just one possible perspective on the term since many known social philosophers have dealt with it, which consequently ends in countless approaches on the subject matter. Moreover, it is a commonly used topic in multiple art forms and primarily known to literature. In the best known and globally famous novel "The Catcher in the Rye", by American writer J. D. Salinger, alienation plays a significant role as it represents the sixteen-year-old adolescent Holden Caulfield coming of age. In the three days that the novel depicts, the reader perceives the world through the eyes of the central character, who is also narrating the story.