se, he does it to himself, and while he knows that it is the reason why he is ostracized, he doesnt seem to want to do anything about the problem. He always has an excuse why he cant be friends with somebody, whether its their phoniness or personal habits. Another major theme running through this novel is self-loathing, and while it may not be quite that extreme in all cases, most teenagers go through the awkward stage. Holden Caulfield has low self-esteem. I almost wished I was dead. (p. 48) He says this at one point in the novel after a fight with his roommate. It seems like so many bad things that happen to him are brought on by him and his mouth. Even his younger sister Phoebe can realize how negative Holden has become. He snuck into his house to visit her and she told him You don't like anything that's happening. . . . You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things. You dont. (p.169)3Loneliness is also expressed in the novel. Many people get lonely, but Holdens habit of pushing almost everyone away causes him to be exceptionally lonely. I felt so lonesome all of a sudden. (p.48) This is a common statement in the novel. He honestly doesnt seem to be able to relate to anyone. That is the sole reason for his loneliness. He probably doesnt know hes doing it, but he refuses to put forth an effort to make friends. He protects himself from being hurt this way. "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." (p.214). He has to realize that he is human, and humans get lonely and need to be comforted. Hes far too stoic for a sixteen-year-old. Every teenager goes through a time when they feel alienated. Holden seems to have gotten the worst of it, though. He was pretty much kicked out of his own house because he didnt fit in with his Hollywood bound brother and the pet of the family, his sister. Then even at Pencey he gets stuck with a near perfect roommate Stradlater, who he sile...
