How Does Sigmund Freud Relate To Catcher In The Rye

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Recommended: Limitations of psychodynamic theory of id, ego and superego by freud

Alejandra Santana
Mrs. Kehrmeyer
AP English, Period 1
6 March 2017
The Mindset Behind Some People “What am I supposed to do now ?” Almost every teenager experiences that type of feeling when facing a problem. Having problems is a normal thing people have to overcome everyday but avoiding them only makes it worse. Sigmund Freud developed a theory called the psychoanalytic theory that holds the personality and behavior that are shaped by unconscious forces and conflicts. The theory focuses on the levels of consciousness, form of personality, mechanisms, and psychosexual development. In the novel The Catcher and the Rye Holden is a complex character who is unable to find his way in his own world because he is afraid of growing up and facing …show more content…

He began writing many novels and poems in the mid 1960s. In the article from John Buchanan it stated that Salinger lived a very exclusive life after the novel he wrote The Catcher and the Rye (Work Ethic). Salinger is able to communicate his experience about coming of age and was able to incorporate pieces into the novel. Salinger wanted to write for himself and not write for applause. He never wanted to promote his work but is one of the most discussed authors in literature. We get to discover the weaknesses the character encounters in his life which made the book come to life and become relatable. In addition, the readers get to see how holden was able to become more mature as the book ended and how he was able to handle his problems like an adult rather than acting very childish and foolish. Salinger's memories and experiences provided the shape and character of holden while being challenged the responsibility of young …show more content…

Throughout The Catcher and the Rye Holden is portrayed as a character who does not want to grow up just yet. He wants to live in a world full of innocence and not face the hard life that is ahead of him. During the visiting of the museum, Holden says “The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move...Nobody’d be different. The only thing that would be different would be you” (121). Holden does not like change. He just wants verything to stay the same because he has not experienced change often which is why he is not accustomed to it. Life is all about change but he does not want to move on with his life just yet. He wants to live the easy life without experiencing the cruelty and reality of life. In the article “Structure of Mind: Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego” it states “The superego… constantly strives for perfection, even though this perfection ideal may be quite far from reality or possibility. Its power to enforce rules comes from its ability to create anxiety” (7). The superego part of the mind is the last thing to be developed in the structure of the mind. Holden wants to live a perfect life without experiencing any pain after what happened to his brother. He wants to live in the innocence before he falls of the cliff and then no longer can go

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