Humans have always lived in some form of society, either small groups during prehistoric days or large cities in the modern world. However, despite being a member of a group on the outside, all individuals have not felt this way. Rather, the feeling of alienation, whether self-imposed or otherwise imposed, occurs throughout works of literature and poetry. Three works that indicate this type of alienation include the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the poem “Hanging Fire” by Audre Lorde, and the lyrics to “I Am A Rock” by Paul Simon. All of these works explore isolation and alienation.
One of the main themes of The Catcher in the Rye is the self-imposed isolation that Holden Caulfield does as a method to protect himself. As the protagonist, Holden appears to feel that he is above the members of his society; this offers him a justification for not interacting with them. However, in reality, Holden is scared of getting hurt by other humans. If one does not allow others to enter into his life, one is protected from any potential emotional harm. In reality, one is also prevented from experiencing any emotional joy as well. However, Holden does not realize this. He uses his hat as a means to declare that he is separate from others. He is not like them, and therefore he has no reason to interact with them. In this, he chooses alienation, which is a common feeling for teenagers. They do not feel as if they are part of society because society often rejects them for their dreams and ambitions. While he tells people that he is happy to know them, he is not. However, “If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though” (Salinger).
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This same theme appears in Simon’s lyrics. Simon describes himself as a rock or an island. An island is isolated from the rest of the world. A rock “feels no pain.” A rock is impenetrable and therefore others cannot break down its defenses. Simon has chosen to isolate himself from others because this will prevent himself from becoming hurt. He decides to surround himself only with his books and his poetry as a type of suit of armor. It is apparent that he has been hurt in the past. No one would want this type of isolation unless one had already experienced a painful experience involving another person. He admits that it was love that made him cry. Obviously, it was a bitter and painful experience, and one many people can relate to. People often wall themselves off from others after a particularly painful emotional experience. Salinger also explains that the reason we isolate ourselves from others is because of their behavior. As Salinger wrote, “You’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior.”
In the poem “Hanging Fire,” the protagonist, a female teenager, is also literally walled away from others. She is in her room, and pondering many of the same issues that teenagers experience. She does not feel comfortable in her body. Her skin is a betrayal to her, and she complains about her body parts. She is also scared that if she dies, the truth about her will be revealed. Her classmates may say things about her that would be painful, even as they mourn her.
She complains about her lack of clothing and that she cannot dance, a requisite to attend many social functions at her age. She experiences ennui. She knows that she has many things to do with her life, but she lacks the desire to do any of them. She does feel as if she was rejected unfairly from the one group which she longed to join: the math club. She does not understand why another person was chosen instead of her. Her grades are better. Interestingly enough, her mother also appears to have chosen isolation as a method for dealing with the painful aspects of life. She repeatedly refers to her mother being locked inside her own bedroom. Perhaps she desires a mother’s love and support at this difficult time, but it is not available. In this way, she is truly isolated. Yet, as Salinger wrote, “Mothers are all slightly insane.” So, perhaps this is the reason why she isolates herself from her mother.
