Examples Of Mental Illness In Catcher In The Rye

Many that are confronted with adversities in life develop specific mental illnesses, plagues on one’s well-being that can be hard to overcome. After flunking out of Pencey and confronting other challenges as he transverses New York City, Holden, for example, begins to show moderate to severe symptoms of major depressive disorder, impacting his perceptions and social interactions. After calling a prostitute up to his hotel room, he discusses how one is “supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head” after watching the young girl do it herself, yet “sexy was the last thing” Holden was feeling, for he describes being “more depressed than sexy” (Salinger 106). His lack of energy and inability to get aroused

Despite the presence of others that suffer, Holden pays the most attention to the ostentatious and ingenuine acts that differ from him, further isolating himself from society. Holden is an individual who “cannot escape people’s madness and wherever he goes” is ultimately “stuck in their insanity” (Dashti and Bahar). Although the general tone of the novel is deeply despondent, the purpose of such a standpoint is necessary to help rid the ignorance in existing societies that focus on mainly general pleasure and happiness, without acknowledging the troubled souls within. The sorrow only increases, for soon after the prostitute leaves, Holden gets assaulted by Maurice, the elevator man, for supposedly not paying her enough money, devastating Holden and leading him to develop post-traumatic stress. After losing the fight, Holden mentally cries out for help, calling himself “crazy” and attempting to make it “to the bathroom,” where he “started pretending” that he “had a bullet in his guts” where Maurice “had plugged” him (Salinger

Antolini himself can prove to Holden that he is not “the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior” (Salinger 189). Unfortunately, Mr. Antolini is unable to control his own actions and makes Holden feel violated, causing him to leave and learn through more difficult circumstances. Moreover, in a state of confusion and selfishness, Holden makes plans to live very far away and isolate himself from all others. He suggests acting like a “poor deaf-mute bastard” so other people would “leave” him “alone,” and he could just build “a little cabin somewhere with the dough” he makes and “live there for the rest of” his lifetime (219). Once again, Holden does not think of the consequences of his actions, thinking primarily only of how they will benefit him. His mentality is similar to that of dying nobly rather than living humbly, because of his desire to be different and escape his past life. He soon, however, realizes that his mentality is being transferred to his younger sister, Phoebe, who wants to leave with him. A mixture of frustration and protectiveness overwhelms Holden when he finds this out, having to finally control his emotional