The “hidden layers of Holden’s mind” can be exposed by looking back “on his childhood” and searching for a “significant or traumatic event,” and “one of the most traumatic, formative moments” in his life “was the death of his brother Allie” (Bennett). The loss of a young, innocent family member is another likely cause of Holden’s post-traumatic stress disorder, drawing him towards the dark subjects of death and hopelessness. Notwithstanding his usual caustic outlook, Holden has brief moments of excitable mania that can catch the reader off guard, introducing the possibility of bipolar disorder. During some social time with his friend Sally, he suddenly becomes excited by unusual and crazy ideas, such as wanting to “‘drive to Massachusetts and …show more content…
Vermont,’” where they could “‘stay in these cabin camps and stuff like that till the dough runs out’” (Salinger 146). The sudden, idealistic enthusiasm displayed by Holden in this situation indicates such a strong contrast with his typical forlorn demeanor, being both incredibly spontaneous and illogical. After she rejects his offer, he quickly shifts back to a more depressed state, losing all signs of ever being eager. As a result, he begins to experience loneliness and neglect, but his developing understanding of the world around him starts to assist him in realizing what actually would make him happy. Despite the conflicts one may face, many will eventually resolve their difficult situations and traumas through epiphanies, knowledge, or guidance.
At one of Holden’s lowest and loneliest points, his English teacher Mr. Antolini provides significant advice that Holden absorbs on a personal level. He tells Holden in a personal conversation that “‘The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one’” (207-208). This statement ultimately hints at how Holden is still immature in many ways, for he still acts regardless of how others think or feel, and proves his incomplete development spiritually and purposefully. The advice also confirms the theme of growth through adversity and experience, which is clearly demonstrated throughout the novel. However, because Mr. Antolini acts inappropriately towards him while he is asleep, Holden does not immediately take this advice, yet he learns these truths about himself after time passes. Although Mr. Antolini is a flawed character, he is “the only person” in the novel “who understands the nature of Holden’s depression” (Dashti and Bahar). Due to being a possible homosexual, it is likely that Mr. Antolini, in particular, 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 causes Holden to …show more content…
feel violated, convincing him to leave and learn through more difficult circumstances.
Moreover, in a state of confusion and selfishness, Holden creates a plan to live very far away and to isolate himself from all others. He suggests that he would act 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 consider 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, due to 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 urges. After yelling at her to shut up, he tries to take “the bag off her” and was “almost set to hit her” and possibly “smack her,” which causes her “to cry” (227). Because of his immaturity, he reacts horribly to both the idea of being held back, but he still worries for her and her future. His epiphany occurs here, which helps guide him from this point forward, as he decides not to leave the city in order to help his sister. This is a defining representation of Holden’s coming of age, which often occur when one is ready to overcome their adversities. After deciding to stay and spend more time with Phoebe, Holden expresses the first true happiness he has felt in the entire novel. He describes how “damn happy” he was when he saw her “going around and around” on the carousel, as well as how “she looked so damn nice” while wearing her “blue coat” (234). Holden finally learns that he can find joy through observing the happiness of others. This better represents the idea of living humbly, for his actions are more based on others rather than himself. Despite this, however, “Holden finds that he cannot be the catcher” that protects the innocence and happiness of children “because there must be many difficulties while one grows up” (Han). In order for an adolescent to become an adult, one must both let them experience and understand their own challenges in life. In the end, Holden “realizes his duty is to protect his sister,” for one day, “the carousel will stop; Phoebe will have to return to the real world” (Han). Ultimately, the novel ends on an uncertain note for Holden, for he does not say whether or not he continues to follow through with what he has learned or not. The significance revolves around how his realization helped guide him at that particular time in his life. The negative perspective alongside the multiple experiences the pubescent main character Holden confronts reveal the challenges that many adolescents must overcome in their lives, while also providing how they are ultimately affected by their experiences. These dilemmas assist in creating an interpretation of how others are feeling and suffering, yet additionally generate awareness of the problem’s existence. Although some critics find the novel too harsh and crude, the most impactful messages within the novel are hiding between the most brutal phrases, signifying the reality of pain and conflicts within society. Those who can interpret the unbearable transitions in life can unlock the true meaning in The Catcher in the Rye.
Holden is afraid to leave his precious/innocent childhood behind and enter the corrupted, evil society adults and ha trouble accepting adults and society. Mr. Antolini basically is saying He’s falling down the rye, and still hasn’t hit rock bottom because he can’t fully understand adults and society. Everything doesn’t make sense to him, from adults being complete phonies to sex. He can’t understand adults which is why his transition from childhood and adulthood is very difficult and complex for him. His own actions and decisions often contradict itself due to, to opposing “worlds” of Holden. Childhood and
As Eugene McNamara stated in his essay “Holden Caulfield as Novelist”, Holden, of J.D. Salinger’s novel Catcher in the Rye, had met with long strand of betrayals since he left Pencey Prep. These disappointments led him through the adult world with increasing feelings of depression and self-doubt, leading, finally to his mental breakdown.
The Catcher in the Rye revolves around Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of the novel, and his disillusionment. Holden’s disillusionment illustrates that he has a problem accepting such. Aforesaid is based upon multiple factors, most which have brought Holden lasting traumas. A remedy is required for Holden to accept his disillusionment and enable an improvement of his situation. For Holden’s remedy, the consultation of psychologists, and additional specialized health professionals would be the core of an apt remedy for Holden’s psychological and physiological state based upon the numerous causes of such and the everlasting trauma of some of the determinants of aforesaid situation. The origins of Holden’s disillusionment revolved mainly around the death of his younger brother Allie three years ago, of which he still experiences the trauma to this day. His disillusionment is caused by both
Holden's idealism is first brought forth when he describes his life at Pency Prep. It is full of phonies, morons and bastards. His roommate, Stradlater, " was at least a pretty friendly guy, It was partly a phony kind of friendly..." (26) and his other roommate, Ackley is "a very nosy bastard" (33). Holden can't stand to be around either one of them for a very long time. Later, he gets into a fight with Stradlater over his date with Jane. Holden is upset because he thinks that Stradlater "gave her the time" and that he doesn't care about her; 'the reason he didn't care was because he was a goddam stupid moron. All morons hate it when you call them a moron' (44). Holden not only sees his roommates as phonies and bastards, but he also sees his headmaster at Pency Prep as a "phony slob" (3). This type of person is exactly what Holden doesn't want to be. He strives to be a mature adult; caring, compassionate, and sensitive.
Antolini during chapter 24 and chapter 25 because the scene shows key factors of a depressive episode. As stated on SparkNotes plot overview of The Catcher in the Rye, “ Mr. Antolini asks Holden about his expulsion and tries to counsel him about his future. Holden can’t hide his sleepiness, and Mr. Antolini puts him to bed on the couch. Holden awakens to find Mr. Antolini stroking his forehead. Thinking that Mr. Antolini is making a homosexual overture, Holden hastily excuses himself and leaves, sleeping for a few hours on a bench at Grand Central Station”. This serves as a basic summary of Holden’s interactions with Mr. Antolini. And during Holden’s time in Grand Central Station, he states in the novel that he may have misjudged Mr. Antolini. At this point, on pages 214 and 215 of the novel, Holden becomes indecisive about whether or not to go back to Mr. Antolini’s apartment. “The more I thought about it, though, the more depressed and screwed up about it I got” is how Holden describes these thoughts. Some of the symptoms shown are, as quoted from PsyCom’s article, “indecisiveness”, “feelings of fatigue”, and “anxiety”. Furthermore, Holden’s mood swings seem to be in rapid cycling throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye, further hinting at him being
Holden is the main character of the book. He is a complicated boy how seems to get thrown out of boarding schools left and right. He is constantly thinking about depressive thoughts of his past, like times he was with his brother, who is dead. His thoughts of his brother bring serious rage for some reason. In one instance he tells about the day after his brothers death, and Holden was filled with such anger and loneliness, he punched through all the glass doors in his garage. This required him to go to the hospital, and unfortunately his stay at the hospital forced him to miss his brothers funeral. He also keeps thinking about his old girl friend Jane. Holden is reminded of past times with her, where her father upset her, and Holden was the only one there to console her. So with that in mind, he thinks he still may have a place with her, and Holden believes that all his happiness will rest with her. Holden is just a guy who is searching for something to get him out of his depression, but he has no idea what it is, and above all how to get it.
Thesis: Holden Caufield is a hostile, negatively charged character that suffers from depression which stems from a desire not to grow up and a lack of closure in his brothers death."If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like . . . "(pg. 1) These first words that Holden Caufield communicates during his tell of events that brought him to his breakdown, show the pent up hostility that still lingers. This pattern of speech, the constant expression of negativity, is a character trait of Holden that shows his inner anguish.
Holden is driven crazy by phoniness, an idea under which he lumps insincerity, snobbery, injustice, callousness, and a lot more. He is a prodigious worrier, and someone who is moved to pity quite often. Behrman wrote: "Grown men sometimes find the emblazoned obscenities of life too much for them, and leave this world indecorously, so the fact that a 16-year old boy is overwhelmed should not be surprising" (71). Holden is also labeled as curious and compassionate, a true moral idealist whose attitude comes from an intense hatred of hypocrisy. The novel opens in a doctor's office, where Holden is recuperating from physical illness and a mental breakdown.
Holden Caulfield can be analyzed through his thoughts, actions and circumstances which surround his everyday life. Holden acts like a careless teenager. Holden has been to several prep-schools, all of which he got kicked out of for failing classes. After being kicked out of the latest, Pency Prep, he went off to New York on his own. Holden seems to have a motivation problem which apparently affects his reasoning. The basis of his reasoning comes from his thoughts. Holden thinks the world is full of a bunch of phonies. All his toughs about people he meets are negative. The only good thoughts he has are about his sister Phoebe and his dead brother Alley. Holden, perhaps, wishes that everyone, including himself, should be like his brother and sister. That is to be intelligent, real and loving. Holden’s problem is with his heart. It was broken when his brother died. Now Holden goes around the world as his fake self, wearing his mask. Holden is looking for love, peace and understanding. He is scared to love because he is afraid he might lose it like he did with his brother. That is the reason for Holden's love of the museum, he feels safe because it never changes it always stays the same. Holden is troubled with the pain of death, it effects every aspect of his life causing him to not care about the future, himself or anyone, except Phoebe and Alley.
The experience of being in a state of grief is not limited by age but by experience. The symptoms of a person experiencing bereavement and grief are found throughout the book. These symptoms not only apply to Holden and his situation, but also are accepted as classic symptoms recognized by the Grief Counseling Community. The story is replete with the phrases "I felt so lonesome; I almost wish I was dead; it was so depressing; it was so quiet and lonesome out; feeling sort to lousy; made me sad; I felt miserable; felt like committing suicide; jumping out the window; sitting on an atomic bomb; blue as hell; felt like getting stinking drunk; can't sleep."
This reveals Holden’s fantasy of an idealistic childhood and his role as the guardian of innocence. Preventing children from “going over the cliff” and losing their innocence is his way of vicariously protecting himself from growing up as well. Holden acknowledges that this is “crazy,” yet he cannot come up with a different lifestyle because he struggles to see the world for how it truly is, and fears not knowing what might happen next. Holden’s “catcher in the rye” fantasy reflects his innocence, his belief in a pure, uncorrupted youth, and his desire to protect it. This fantasy also represents his disconnection from reality, as he thinks he can stop the process of growing up, yet
In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield exhibits many symptoms that can be directly linked to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as other forms of grievance. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental illness which generally implicates exposure to trauma from single events that oftentimes involve death. It is frequently divided into three main categories: Reliving the Past, Detachment and Agitation. When analyzing the novel itself, it can be viewed as one large flashback in which Holden is constantly reflecting on past occurrences: “I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy” (Salinger, 1). It is a mental illness that can sometimes occur in teenagers as a response to a sudden traumatic experience or abandonment.
Part of the irony in Holden’s story is that physically, he looks mature, but mentally, he is still very much a child: “I act quite young for my age, sometimes. I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now … I’m six foot two and a half and I have gray hair ” (9). There is no middle ground, adolescence, for Holden. He can only be an adult, physically, or a child, mentally. Holden’s history teacher, Mr. Spencer, tries to appeal to him by using a metaphor: “Life is a game, boy.
The narrative allows the reader to be exposed to Holden Caulfield’s mind to form a psychoanalytical perspective and emphasize how he goes through many experiences. An example of when Holden went through a violent outburst is when his brother, Allie passed away. “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist just for the hell of it.” (Salinger 39). This citation is meaningful and clearly shows what kind of person Holden becomes. He was very close with his brother Allie and that mentally broke him. He had a very strong and sad mental breakdown in the moment that affected his futu...
While Holden imagines an idyllic world of innocence and childhood from where children fall into the ugly adult world, Mr. Antolini describes a plummet into despair, giving up on the world, from which will be difficult to return from. Altogether, Holden creates this simplified version of the world as a way to cut himself off from reality and avoid the real possibilities of much worse things.