Isolation and alienation, as depicted in the two novels, are cultural marvels that occur either voluntarily or involuntarily. Alienation is a feeling of being estranged and hence withdrawal from people resulting into isolation which is living separately. This essay argues that much as isolation and alienation are viewed as negative, the experience may bring better attention and focus on issues hence greater appreciation for people and life, and an overall feeling happier.
In the two novels, these themes are divulged and revealed vividly. In the ‘curious incident of the dog in the night-time’ focus will be on Christopher’s isolation that is as a result of autism as depicted in how he spends most of his life in his special world. He retorts “… a day when I don’t speak to anyone and sit on my own”. His estrangement has a ripple effect as it spirals from negative to a constructive influence. Seclusion makes get drawn into himself and leads to being highly observant and eventually develops creativity due to keenness of details ( Resene, 94; Leuschner, 1). Solving Wellington’s mystery murder forces Christopher to deals with isolation and discovers an ability to solve problems on his own. Finally, he ascertains that his father is the killer; he is devastated by his father’s sex life (pg. 27). That leads him to unearth the fact that his mother was, in fact, alive and well. This intensifies isolation from his father, who had been hiding details about his mother (pg.42) (Faulkner, 55; Blackford, 296; Wang, 4). Christopher’s ability to demystify isolation escalates when he passes the A-level math test and accesses an avenue to a positive life. The experience epitomizes the transformation of alienation into constructive operations; he ventures into physics (pg. 103). Despite the isolation challenge, Christopher perceives a new world of detailed opportunities.
The Catcher portrays Rye Holden, as the main character who sunk into isolation due to his brother Allie’s demise. This escalated into an inability to cope with the schooling system (pg.4). He inclines to sequester his peers; this certainly consumes him inside out. Alienation shields and harms Holden who becomes anti-social. Ostensibly he gets difficult to connect with. He gets trapped in a vicious cycle of self-destruction, loneliness and alienation. Holden sets off on an untethered solo journey to New York in search of a better life (pg.5). The alienation by lack of human interaction and bonding makes him so unsettled. He searches for connection in clubs, alcohol and immorality (Jasim, 33; Jasim &waad, 40). He tries to hang on a former girl-friend and hurts her by his juvenile talks, so he is lonelier. Desperate for connection, he severally attempts to relate but he behaves abrasively. At this point Holden fundamentally experiences estrangement as he voluntarily ostracizes himself. Finally, he goes to visit his little sister, Phoebe at school. He feels a sense of belonging as it’s his former school (Kheirkhah & Kian, 35; Laleh & Laya, 645; Rahmadewi, 13). He decides to take her to the museum, zoo and park carousel and her unlimited happiness illuminates his dark world (pg.115). Holden transforms his attitude and decides to attend a new school in the fall and becomes optimistic about the future.
This discourse proposes that isolation and alienation when positively embraced enable keenness to details in the environment and new openings in life.