There are many aspects of his alienation. In some ways, his alienation is imposed by the society that rejects him. In other ways, his isolation is self imposed. Unfortunately for him, Holden's alienation causes most of his problems and eventually his total demise.

Holden feels alienated for several reasons. As he talks about the people he knew from all of the schools that he went to, he never mentions anyone as a real friend. He does talk about secret fraternities that never accepted him. He felt that he was too cool to hang out with the nerds or losers, but he wasn't seen by the popular people as cool enough to hang out with them. He tells himself that he's too good for them, too, and calls them all phonies. He then looks down on everyone else in society. However, it is known that he longs for a...