The Influences of Holden’s Alienation and Cynicism on Holden’s Personality Development in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye

ABSTRACT 

      This thesis discusses the development of Holden’s personality in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Holden’s personality seems to be developed under the influence of the member of his family and also environment. 

     Related to the title of this study, the writer would like to answer the questions: 1)  How are Holden’s cynicism and alienation described? 2) How do Holden’s Cynicism and Alienation influence his personality development? 

    This thesis was an analytics study which used a library research method. The writer used the  psychological approach to analyze how alienation and cynicism are able to influence Holden’s personality. The intrinsic aspect, which is studied in this study, is character. 

      The result of this study shows that Holden’s personality changes into maturity in the way of thinking  because of the influence of alienation and cynicism. By his interactions, with family member and environment bring a positive change in Holden’s thinking. The changes in Holden’s way of thinking can be seen from the changes of his decision to go home and live with his family instead of running away to face the reality. He feels sorry to all of people he judges, badly. He also longs for his peers at school after many mistakes he did in the past.