Holden Caulfield's Depression

953 Words2 Pages

Connor Walsh
Ms. McGowan
Period 7
5/12/18
Catcher in the Rye Rough Draft
In his book The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger illustrates for readers severe depression through the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. One of the most common and detrimental psychiatric condition is depression. Depression has substantial effects on a person’s thoughts, behavior and feelings. Depression entails an emotional stigma which has overbearing feelings of despair and dejection. Symptoms of severe depression mirroring Holden’s case most notably include the detachment of oneself from society, low self-esteem and poor relationship building skills, and poor/inappropriate behavior.
Holden Caulfield has endured the emotional pain due to the death of his younger brother Allie. Holden’s former teacher Mr. Antolini, sets him …show more content…

First, Holden’s loss of interest in school and the people within the school makes it agonizing for him to remain there. Holden expresses his lack of interest in school when he tells Phoebe the reasons for his distaste and rejection of Pencey and the people within it. This is shown through Holden’s statement, “it was one of the worst schools I ever went to. It was full of phonies. And mean guys…I just didn’t like anything that was happening at Pencey.” (Salinger 90,91). This quote reveals that Holden acknowledges the negativity inside the school as it becomes unbearable for him. Pencey also harbours many fraudulent people which remove Holden’s interest in school. Since Holden finds it infuriating living amongst people with no sense of morality. Consequently, his discontent with school hinders the enrichment he wishes his life to encompass. Therefore, Holden’s objectives of school are not being accomplished. Holden foresees countless misery and restlessness in his future. Therefore, his depression and thoughts of suicide are enkindled by the emotional dissatisfaction he experiences at

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