Theme Of Mental Pain In Catcher In The Rye

C.S. Lewis once stated in The Problem of Pain, “The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden”. In the story Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger’s character Holden Caufield struggles with facing his depression and reality. Throughout this novel, Holden tries various methods such as drugs, hiding, and denial to escape his problems with depression, but ultimately discovers that escape can only be found through acceptance. Salinger uses symbolism to reveal that feelings of depression can spiral downwards if one does not face their issues and accept reality.

Holden’s reaction to the profanity he comes across reveals that his depression will worsen until he realizes that his fixation is pointless and the corruption is indelible.

While at Phoebe’s school, Holden “…saw something that drove [him] crazy. Somebody’d written ‘Fuck you’ on the wall. It drove [him] damn near crazy” (221). His obsession over the profanity seems to make him even more frustrated and depressed. The fact that he was fixated on this hatred for corruption is making him insane. Holden’s continuing thoughts on this seem to trouble him even more. He went deeper into the matter, and “…kept picturing [himself] catching [the criminal] at it, and how [he’d] smash [the criminal’s] head…[but he] knew…[he] wouldn’t have the guts… that made [him] even more depressed” (221). Holden starts off this whole scenario “crazy”, and then becomes “depressed”. The more the thoughts of the ingrained corruption plague Holden’s mind, the worse he feels. However, he does find relief at the end of this struggle. When leaving the school, Holden “…saw another ‘Fuck you’ on the wall. [He] tried to rub it off…again…but this one was scratched on…it wouldn’t come off…it’s hopeless anyway…it’s impossible” (222). At this point, Holden realizes the profanity is permanent, and he drops all thoughts of it. Once he accepts that there is no relief from the corruption in the world, he stops complaining about how depressed he feels. Holden’s continuing fixation over removing the profanity seemed to only further his unhappiness, but he released this feeling when he accepted that it is ineradicable.
Holden’s increasing abuse of drugs instead of confrontment of his issues supports his downward spiral into depression.

While walking through the city, “…the more depressed [he] got…[he decides]…to stop off and have a drink somewhere”(100). The worse he feels the more he drinks. However, alcohol has never been known to solve problems. Holden also uses cigarettes in attempt to obscure his sorrow. After a stressful and disturbing meeting with Sunny, a young prostitute, Holden “…smoked a couple of cigarettes…[he] felt so depressed you can’t imagine” (110). Holden feels dejected, but even after he smokes, he still feels terrible. Due to the fact that he is trying to escape his emotional issues instead of facing them, his depression seemed to worsen. Yet another incident involving alcohol displays the same thing. While contemplating his sadness and disappointment in the human race, Holden “…sat at [a] goddam bar…getting drunk as a bastard […] I started that stupid business with bullets in my guts again […] I was concealing the fact that I was a wounded sonouvabitch” (166). Once again, he is trying to ignore the fact that he is wounded. The alcohol’s point is to help smother the pain, but really the drunkenness causes Holden to blatantly reveal he’s in a terrible state emotionally. Holden’s attempt at suppressing his sadness using drugs instead of fronting it seems to only worsen his emotional

state.
Holden’s evolving emotions towards his red hunting hat display that depression can be overcome with acceptance. While feeling like “…one of [those] very yellow guys” (99), Holden “…took [his] red hunting hat [and]…put it on…” (99). At this point, Holden uses his hat as a shield for his sadness. The shielding, instead of facing, is only fueling his despair. Although, this sadness isn’t apparent when he is with his sister, one of the few people he acts very honestly with. He feels the need to visit her, and when “…going to say hello to old Phoebe…” (174), Holden “…had already taken off [his] hunting hat…” (174). Due to the fact that he feels comfortable and open with his sister, he takes off his hat of protection. This openness seems to counteract his misery. However, acceptance is what finally subdues Holden’s depression. When he accepts that the impossible is impossible, Holden is able to release the protection of his hat, “my hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection in a way, but I got soaked anyway…I felt so damn happy…” (233). Holden’s hat doesn’t seem to offer him what it used to. He finally feels happy when he realizes that guarding himself with the hat is pointless, and he must accept the rain/reality. Holden finally escaped his black hole of depression when he realized that hiding from his emotions is what caused the lack of contentment.
His journey portrayed that one cannot escape depression until they face it head on and accept reality. Holden’s couldn’t seem to mask his depression with drugs, and could only escape when he took off his shield and faced reality.