Isolation in Taxi Driver

Isolation in Taxi Driver

            After watching Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese, it became apparent that the theme of isolation plays a major role in the film.  The protagonist, Travis, takes a job as a nighttime taxi driver. This job in and of itself screams isolation; he works alone and must pick up strangers who he has prior connection with.  While this film takes place in the hustling and bustling New York City, it only enhances the isolation that Travis feels.  He is bothered by the fact that people in his cab pretend he doesn’t even exist. Travis really doesn’t have any true relationships, largely due to his mental state.  He lacks social skills required to hold any sort or relationship, especially with a romantic interest. In many ways, the source of isolation in the film comes from the shattered relationship between Travis and Betsy.  It doesn’t cross Travis’s mind that taking a date to a porn film isn’t a great idea. Travis is persistent with his flowers and phone calls and it only seems to drive Betsy further away, leading him back to his usual isolated state. Travis simply states it himself, “Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere…I’m God’s lonely man. “