Holden's Mental Condition In Catcher In The Rye

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One of the most broadly taught novels in Canada, J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye opens with a deeply troubled sixteen-year-old, Holden Caulfield, who has difficulty dealing with his personal life along with the loss of his innocence. Holden tells the story of his last day at Pencey Prep, in addition to his psychological meltdown in New York City. A full examination of The Catcher in the Rye displays that Holden Caulfield belongs in a “rest home” due to his Manic Depression, Compulsive Lying, and Post Dramatic Stress Disorder.

Holden Caulfield’s rough childhood events are the explanation of his struggle with Maniac Depression throughout the novel. In the novel, Holden claims that “When you're feeling very depressed, you can't even think” …show more content…

Holden admits that "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful. If I'm on my way to the store to buy a magazine and somebody asks where I'm going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the Opera. It's terrible" (16). Due to the crisis he faces, Holden feels the necessity to create reality instead of telling the truth. “The Catcher in the Rye puts forth a fairly good argument about the problems boys face, and also perhaps the inadequacy which some attempt to cope with them" claims James Stern at the University of .Lying provides Holden a sense of control, something he desperately needs because the world feels so out of control to him. He is an individual that lies in order to prevent family and friends from getting too close to …show more content…

Holden expresses his thoughts in the beginning of the book "What I was really hanging around for, I was trying ... to feel some kind of good-bye. I mean I've left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I'm leaving it. If you don't, you feel even worse" (8). Holden is trying to make a connection with others, but his PTSD makes him fear making connections and leads him to describe his feeling as "hatred" when in fact it is fear. He isolates himself from friends and experiences a total lack of interest in his studies because he can never appreciate what is being offered .In his essay, “The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye,” Eric concurs "One of the most intriguing points in Holden's character, related to his prolonged inability to communicate, is Holden's intention to become a deaf-mute. So repulsed is he by the phoniness around him that he wishes not to communicate with anyone and in a passage filled with the personal insight he contemplates a retreat within himself" .Holden has an uncontrollable habit of always stressing out in a simple situation and agitating himself, most of the time he is irritated about someone or

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