
In the modern world, communication is at an all-time high. Due to the recent explosion of the smartphone and computer industries, almost everyone can be connected through one phone call, e-mail, or direct message. Even if one does not possess devices such as a personal computer or smartphone, face to face interactions still occur every day. Communication is such a vital part of everyday relationships whether it be friendly or romantic. Without a form of communication whether it be online or in person, people tend to go into an isolated state. Isolation is used as a form of punishment. In many maximum security prisons, severally disruptive inmates are often times placed in solitary confinement, where they are cut off from the world around them for several days at a time.  In cases such as this, when a person becomes isolated, that isolation tends to lead to depression or self-destruction. They end up feeling so disconnected from the world, without anyone to talk to or confide in. In some cases, a life in isolation is not worth living. In “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by J.D. Salinger, Salinger depicts, through the estranged characters, that the lack of communication is the root of isolation.

In “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by J.D. Salinger, Salinger depicts, through the estranged characters, that the lack of communication is the root of isolation. The strongest example of isolation brought on by lack of communication can be seen in the character Seymour. One of the smaller examples of Seymour being isolated comes early in the story when Muriel is having a conversation on the phone with her mother she tells her that while she was talking with a psychiatrist Seymour was "In the Ocean Room, playing the piano. He's played the piano both nights we've been here"(4). This quote is showing that during a social event Muriel and Seymour are not communicating instead Seymour is isolating himself and playing the piano alone while Muriel is trying to socialize with others. Muriel also does not see this behavior as odd which only further isolates Seymour.

Another example of this lack of communication leading to character isolation is the conversations revolving around Seymour being at the beach. There is no communication between Seymour and Muriel he even goes as far as to tell Sybil " She may be in any one of a thousand places. At the hairdresser's. Having her hair dyed mink. Or making dolls for poor children, in her room"(6). This is not the case it turns out she is actually just upstairs in the room. On the other side of things while Muriel is on the phone her mom asks what Seymour is doing on the beach and Muriel says " I mean all he does is lie there. He won't take his bathrobe off"(5). This is also not the case as it turns out Seymour actually goes into the water when hanging out with Sybil. Had the two of them communicated and Muriel known that Seymour does not just sit on the beach he actually does go in she might not have choose to spend her vacation up in her room. Same can be said had Seymour known that she was not out doing any of the things he listed to Sybil but merely sitting in her room he might have tried to get her to come out with him. But due to the lack of communication between the two neither knew exactly what the other was up to leading to both into isolation

A further example of lack of communication and isolation comes when Muriel is on the phone with her mom she brings up a German book she received from Seymour. She tells her mom that Seymour told her “that the poems happen to be written by the only great poet of the century. He said I should've bought a translation or something. Or learned the language, if you please” (3). This quote shows that there is little communication between Seymour and Muriel because he bought her a book in a language that she does not know and she still has yet to read it. This is one way lack of communication is isolating Muriel, first off she could have asked Seymour for help reading the book or learning the language and secondly she did not bother to read the book and connect with Seymour when she got it she waited for him to bring it up. 

In “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by J.D. Salinger, Salinger depicts, through the estranged characters, that the lack of communication is the root of isolation. isolation is known to lead to self-destruction. This is very evident in “A Perfect Day for Bananafish”. The lack of communication between Seymour and Muriel brought about intense isolation for Seymour, bringing out his demise. Communication is key to preventing isolation. Today due to the wide use of technology communication is much more easily accessible so no one should end up feeling isolated. 