Theme Of Mental Pain In Catcher In The Rye

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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. …show more content…

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

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