Theme of Connection in the Catcher in the Rye Essay Sample

Like many others, in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden Caulfield, wants to find and uphold a true and deep connection with someone who will empathize with his unresolved trauma. Every attempt to make this type of connection fails him and causes him to fall into a deeper depression. As a coping mechanism, Holden isolates himself and does not share things about himself. Eventually, Holden's depression overcomes him and causes him to need professional help. Throughout this coming-of-age novel, Holden spirals into a deep abyss of depression that proves extremely hard for him to resolve independently, despite his extensive efforts to better himself.

As Holden falls deeper into his depression, he finds himself feeling as if he is going to disappear. When crossing the street, he thinks, “Every time I came to the end of a block and stepped off the goddam curb, I had this feeling that I'd never get to the other side of the street. I thought I'd just go down, down, down, and nobody'd ever see me again. Boy, did it scare me.” (256). Holden has a hard time staying in tune with reality; his depression causes him to perceive things in a different way than they truly are. Because Holden remains deprived of a genuine emotional connection, he feels as if he is going to float down and disappear without anyone noticing. However, Holden does not want to disappear; “Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Please, Allie.” (257). Holden desperately longs to be caught by someone, anyone, who can help him. As a last resort, Holden prays to his deceased brother to help save him from being lost in his perceived reality. Holden is trying everything that he can in order to not disappear, but continues to discover new misfortunes that he needs to face in order to remain in his right mind.

Holden constantly feels like he is falling, whether in a deeper depression or simply falling to his death, “This fall I think you’re riding for – it’s a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. The man falling isn’t permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom. He just keeps falling and falling. The whole arrangement’s designed for men who, at some time or other in their lives, were looking for something their own environment couldn’t supply them with. Or they thought their own environment couldn’t supply them with. So they gave up looking. They gave it up before they ever really even got started.” (242). Holden continually tries to find someone to “catch” him and create a connection. All of Holden’s attempts fail, and he finds himself wanting to continue falling, simply to stop feeling everything. Holden’s depression becomes so overwhelming that he finds himself thinking, “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would’ve, too, if I’d been sure somebody’d cover me up as soon as I landed. I didn’t want a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory.” (136). Often, people suffering with depression picture themselves as hurt or dead. Thankfully, Holden holds back and decides to keep his life. Deep inside, Holden wants to find a way out of his depression, and creates excuses to not commit suicide.

Holden’s longing for a connection with anyone constantly leaves him isolated and in a worse state than before. After inviting his old friend for drinks, Holden tries to make him stay later, “‘Just have one more drink,’ I told him. ‘Please. I’m lonesome as hell. No kidding.’” (193). Holden so badly wants a true connection, and continues to try to create one. He asks his surface-level friend deep and thoughtful questions as a last hope to get him to stay. This tactic fails him as his friend leaves and causes Holden to feel alone and isolated. During Holden’s constant search for an emotional connection, he hires a prostitute to be with him, “I know you're supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head, but I didn't. Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I felt much more depressed than sexy.” (123).  Holden does not want a sexual connection; he solely wants someone to talk to and someone to listen to him. When the prostitute could not provide this for him, he again felt more alone and disconnected. After trying multiple times to make a connection and then being rejected, Holden feels disassociated with the people around him, leading him to fall into an even deeper depression.

Holden continues to dig into a void of depression that he cannot get himself out of, no matter how hard he tries. Salinger’s extensive dive into the mind of someone who suffers from depression highlights Holden’s feelings of seclusion from the outside world. When looking through Holden's perspective, the interpretation of life is distorted. Many people that Holden tries to make connections with do not realize that he feels isolated and detached. Holden’s inadequate coping mechanisms force him into an abyss of depression and isolation.