The Emotional Journey
The emotional quest is a journey of the heart, mind and soul. It is not something that is won easily and it may take a whole lifetime to complete. Although it is not always evident as to what they are searching for, their subconscious mind drives them to find it. Dolores Price from She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb and Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger have many other characteristics in common. These two individuals go on separate emotional quests and are both in search of acceptance and happiness.
Holden Caulfield isolates himself from society everyday creating this distinct barrier between himself and everyone else. Holden is a typical anti-hero and his self-destructive attitude is often the source of his problems. Only a select few ever get close enough to him to see what he hides behind his wall of defense. His parents did not play an important role in his life and because of this, he was never taught how to develop healthy relationships between family and friends.
The Catcher in the Rye
S. D. Holden
English: Crown Green Bowling, Holden Park A sunny ...He is quick to judge people that he meets before he gets the chance to know them. It always seems to him, that people in society are the ones with flaws and problems and yet he rarely ever analyzes himself. He lacks self-confidence and a basic understanding of life. In the 3 days it takes Holden to return home from his school, Pencey, he undergoes an emotional journey. He is in search of someone who will listen to him and perhaps even love him.
Dolores Price is similar to Holden, in that she has also had a self-destructive attitude while growing up. She too, is a loner who chooses rather to isolate herself from people instead of risking the chance of getting hurt.