Depression can have serious psychological repercussions. Such is demonstrated in the character of Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. While residing in a mental hospital in California, Holden explains the events that led to his downfall. Within his story, all the reasons for his extreme unhappiness are revealed. Holden's severe depression is made apparent through his inward emotional turmoil, phoniness, and his idealistic fantasies.
Holden's life is tormented by his constant search for the ideal. There have only been two people who have ever embodied Holden's model of perfection: Allie, his younger brother, and Jane, who used to be his next door neighbor. Allie is introduced as the nicest member of Holden's family. He was a little red head whom "[we"d] have liked" (Salinger 38), who tragically died of leukemia in 1946. Holden is constantly reflecting on his relationship with Allie. In some instances it is as if Holden is living in the past. When asked what he likes by his younger sister, Phoebe, he replies, "I like Allie" (171). She is quick to respond with, "Allie's dead and in Heaven" (171). Holden seems to have trouble comprehending this fact, possibly because he never received closure. After Allie's death, Holden "broke all the goddam windows with [his] fist" (39), and was in the hospital during the funeral. Therefore the absence of the "ideal of sensibility and response determines Holden's resistance to the world as it is" (Rowe 81). Without the opportunity to grieve Allie's death, Holden often judges every other human being compared to him. .
Another person Holden holds in high esteem is Jane. He likes the fact that "Jane [is] different. [They"d] get into a movie or something, and right away [they"d] start holding hands, and [they] wouldn't quit till the movie was over. And without changing position or making a big deal out of it" (79). When with Jane, Holden feels as though there is no pressure to be anything that society wants him to be.
Through his failures, he motivates readers to step out of their comfort zone, forget their childish ideals, and take on the responsibility of maturity. ... Holden's problems arise from his lack of maturity. ... Indeed, this episode makes light of Holden's inconsistency. ... Holden's failures lead him to understand himself. ... But high school wasn't for Holden. ...
Salinger's, "The Catcher in the Rye," Holden Caulfield is characterized by his need to protect innocence. ... At the conclusion of the novel, Holden realizes the true nature of innocence while watching Phoebe reach for the golden ring on the carousel. ... In addition, Holden's vision of himself being "the catcher in the rye" defines the qualities he must have and has to fill this role. ... In the same manner as Holden, people will travel through their lives gaining vast amounts of knowledge and have many experiences. ... After experiencing enough, they will solidify these ...
Through these ideals Holden is seen as an idealist. ... (Salinger, p 55) This was Holden's ideal of good conversation he often could not find it. ... In the novel Holden has two ideals of escaping to his fantasy world. ... In order to live in the real world Holden needs to abandon his ideal of being able to escape it. ... Throughout the novel Holden learns how to compromise and abandon his ideals. ...
Allie used to watch Holden play golf, "and he was sitting there" (Salinger 38). ... The connotation of the diction 'goddamn manager' shows how Holden feels about this job. ... For example, when Holden and Jane are playing checkers and, "Then all of a sudden, this tear plopped down on the checkerboard" (Salinger 78) the two are brought back from their ideal life and back to reality. ... Holden understood what the tear meant because of why it appeared. ... To conclude, not only is it not probable for Holden to make friends in a group, it is not possible. ...
Salinger and narrated by Holden Caulfield, is set in the 1950's in the mental hospital Holden in staying at. ... Phoebe reveals how different her childhood is from Holden's ideals. ... Holden narrates, "That's the whole trouble. ... Holden consequently has a second epiphany. ... Phoebe becomes angry with Holden's refusal to grow up. ...
Holden Caulfield is the main character in J.D. ... Holden is motivated, just not academically. ... Holden returns home and talks to his sister, Phoebe. ... Holden transforms from an idealist into a realist. Throughout his story he talks about people being phonies, which suggests that he has some ideal to which he compares people. ...
The book gives morals that are not ideal to live by. ... One being Holden's constant use of profanity. ... Holden goes to a bar multiple times in the novel. ... Holden also hires a prostitute one night. ... One other problem is Holden's thoughts of suicide. ...
Holden is in no way omniscient or unbiased toward his descriptions of others as well as events. ... Holden alienates himself from others and thus, he has convinced himself that he is far above them. ... Most likely as a result of his loneliness, Holden is depressed, as he expresses a number of times. ... Salinger uses Holden's thoughts and spoken remarks to portray themes as well. ... Despite this fact, all of the fundamental aspects of the novel combine to form a complete work that offers a great number of insightful ideals to the reader. ...
Holden desires the idea of being different, to set himself apart from the conforming ideals. ... Yet, in each encounter, Holden is unable to form a true connection. ... " (Salinger, 54-55) Ironically, as much hatred Holden shares towards the "phony society", Holden himself shares characteristics of being "phony". ... Like many teenagers, Holden used vulgar language often. ... Holden's uses "...If you want to know the truth......
