Catcher In The Rye Mental Health Analysis

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Sean Wolfe once said, “Sometimes our own needs and desires must be expressed, even at the expense of shattering the image others have created for us.” In the novel, “The Catcher in the Rye,” J.D. Salinger focuses on the topic of mental health. He implies that there is more to someone than what appears to the eye, not everything can be observed under a microscope. Ultimately, J.D. Salinger conveys an ongoing inner issue within someone and their mental state. The author, J.D. Salinger, explores the theme of mental health. Throughout the novel, Holden is in a constant war with his personal thoughts and society, which were often triggered by the change around him. Depression is a clinical disorder that is very common among adults and children …show more content…

He kept putting himself in a position to have to move schools and he was a liar. Holden lied to everyone around him and used an extreme amount of vulgarity, sexually too. There was a repetition of words for the sole purpose of having an extra effect but to make it seem like it is nothing. However, his choice of words means more because he ponders the thought of killing himself and he is incapable of feeling good about anything. He specifically often repeated the words, phony, madman, and crazy. However, these words reflect how Holden feels emotionally because of his illness. There are several moments where Holden was alienating himself, he never opened himself up to other because he feared anything bad to happen or change. Holden constantly pushed others away to protect himself but it made things worse. By doing so, the loneliness he felt surrounded him more and more as he tried to isolate himself. In many parts of the book, he kept repeating the word, “Listen.” This word, which seems so simple, was a way to seek for attention, practically demanding it. Everywhere Holden went, he would always try and talk to someone and keep them interested, once again, by

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