Abstract

This thesis analyzes Holden’s loneliness, which is Holden’s power, but is also the root of Holden’s problem. He thinks the world around him is full of hypocrisy and ugliness, which makes him intolerable of. So he keeps himself away from the adult world, which is filled with the pain and disappointment through cynicism. He wouldn’t condescend to communicate with people around him. The reason is that interaction with others always makes him confused and devastated. While he desperately needs love and communication, he regards loneliness as a necessity of self-protection, which is able to prevent him from interacting with others. He is dependent on his loneliness, at the same time, loneliness damages him. Loneliness is a necessary process in his growth.  

Key words: Holden Caulfield; loneliness; companionship; fantasy

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

   1.1 Brief Introduction-1

   1.2 Literature Review-2

   1.3 Purpose-3

2 Holden’s Isolation from the Society-3

   2.1 Resistance to Education-3

   2.2 Lack of Family Warmth-4

   2.3 Renouncement of Materialism- 5

3 Holden’s Thirst for Companionship-6

   3.1 Interaction with Others as an Adult-6

   3.2 Need of Love-7

   3.3 Holden’s Love to Allie and Phoebe-8

4 Holden’s Fantasy in Loneliness-9

   4.1 The Emergence of Fantasy-9

   4.2 Dual Mentality Embodied in Fantasy-10

   4.3 Disillusion and Self-Salvation -11

5 Conclusion-13

References-15