In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, the main character Holden Caulfield, often alienates himself, which leads him into a serious depression. Right after Holden leaves Pencey, he arrives in New York. . He wants to call someone and decides to use the nearby phone booth. “The first thing I did when I got off at Penn Station, I walked into this phone booth. I wanted to call someone… but as soon as I was inside, I couldn't find anyone to call. My brother DB was in Hollywood. My little sister Phoebe goes to bed around nine, so I couldn't call her. Then I thought about calling Jane Gallagher's mother... but I didn't feel like it. So I ended up not calling anyone. I left the cabin after about twenty minutes. (59) Holden wants to call someone but ends up not doing so and isolates himself even more. Holden does this periodically throughout the novel and his isolation often leads him into manic depression. It is extremely difficult for him to connect with people or open up to them. The buzz of onomonopia is used several times in this quote. Slang often indicates immaturity in someone. The choice of language shows how childish and immature Holden is. Just before Holden leaves Pencey to say goodbye to Mr. Spencer, he watches the football game from the top of the hill. “Only, I didn't watch the match too much. What I was really looking for was to try to feel some sort of goodbye. I mean, I left schools and places that I didn't even know I would leave. I hate it. (4) Holden has been expelled from Pencey and watches the football game hoping to feel some sort of closure or goodbye from the school and its members. The reason for alienation is shown to him...... middle of paper ......reflects on all the people he has met in the story and also tries to give advice to the reader. At this point, the story comes full circle and Holden was finally able to release all the thoughts and feelings he had been keeping to himself. Throughout the novel, Holden intentionally isolates himself from people so that he does not have to express or share his feelings with others. The purpose of Salinger's novel is given here. Holed says to never tell anyone, because if you do, everyone starts to miss you. Although Holden tells the author not to open up to anyone, the reader can clearly see that being isolated puts you in a horrible position. The author is basically saying that you shouldn't alienate yourself or you will most likely end up depressed like Holden. Works Cited Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and company, 1945