One of the most common and detrimental psychiatric condition is depression. The state of depression has a large effect on a person’s thoughts, behaviours, and feelings. Depression gives an emotional feeling which has overbearing feelings of despair and rejection. J.D Salinger, highlights the impacts of depression in his book, The Catcher in the Rye, which shows the depression experienced by the main character, Holden Caulfield. Holden has gone through a heavy emotional burden of his younger brother, Allie’s death. Holden’s teacher, Mr. Antolini, sets him up to understand his misdirected ways as he points out Holden’s downfall. He tries to integrate the idea that Holden must ignore the corrupt society to fully experience good and positive relationships
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Similarly, Holden wishes to live in the past to preserve his innocence. Therefore, Holden challenges society’s “circle of life”, as he refuses to accept adulthood. This is depicted when Holden states, “I like Allie… just because someone is dead ,you don’t just stop liking them, for God’s sakes- especially if they were about a thousand times nicer than the people you know that’re alive” ( Salinger 171). Holden believes that only true innocence can be attained in one’s childhood. However, Holden eventually realizes that it is impossible to live in his childhood forever. This compels him to realize that he cannot continue living with the same values in society that Allie died with. Knowing that his objectives in life are unattainable, this brings up a lot of discomfort and sadness. Holden’s sadness is heightened when he knows he cannot change societal norms. The realization that he cannot remain in the past with his concept of innocence, ultimately furthers his depression. Furthermore, Holden’s inability to express his emotions …show more content…
To start with, Holden’s depressive state is clear, as he displays feeling of hopelessness and sorrow. For example, Holden eventually realizes that his goals for preserving the innocence of children are not very realistic. This happens when all the children from the carousel are trying to grab a ring, and Holden realizes that he cannot save the children from the consequences of their actions. This is evident through Holden saying that, “if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off” (Salinger 211). Holden realizes that he is powerless to change the society around him. He believes he can preserve the innocence of children by being the “catcher in the rye” and saving them from falling from the cliff, but he believes that all children will eventually cross the border to adulthood and leave their innocence behind. Holden believes that all children will eventually move towards the corrupted side of society and adulthood, despite his best intentions. Another reason for Holden’s depression is through his desire to maintain innocence, which is unrealistic and brings out emotional and mental trauma as Holden falls into depression as loses trust from the people he admires. For example, he loses his trust in Mr. Antolini, who Holden respects, as he was caught inappropriately touching Holden. This also causes internal turmoil as he
Similarly, Holden wishes to live in the past to preserve his innocence. Therefore, Holden challenges society’s “circle of life”, as he refuses to accept adulthood. This is depicted when Holden states, “I like Allie… just because someone is dead ,you don’t just stop liking them, for God’s sakes- especially if they were about a thousand times nicer than the people you know that’re alive” ( Salinger 171). Holden believes that only true innocence can be attained in one’s childhood. However, Holden eventually realizes that it is impossible to live in his childhood forever. This compels him to realize that he cannot continue living with the same values in society that Allie died with. Knowing that his objectives in life are unattainable, this brings up a lot of discomfort and sadness. Holden’s sadness is heightened when he knows he cannot change societal norms. The realization that he cannot remain in the past with his concept of innocence, ultimately furthers his depression. Furthermore, Holden’s inability to express his emotions …show more content…
To start with, Holden’s depressive state is clear, as he displays feeling of hopelessness and sorrow. For example, Holden eventually realizes that his goals for preserving the innocence of children are not very realistic. This happens when all the children from the carousel are trying to grab a ring, and Holden realizes that he cannot save the children from the consequences of their actions. This is evident through Holden saying that, “if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off” (Salinger 211). Holden realizes that he is powerless to change the society around him. He believes he can preserve the innocence of children by being the “catcher in the rye” and saving them from falling from the cliff, but he believes that all children will eventually cross the border to adulthood and leave their innocence behind. Holden believes that all children will eventually move towards the corrupted side of society and adulthood, despite his best intentions. Another reason for Holden’s depression is through his desire to maintain innocence, which is unrealistic and brings out emotional and mental trauma as Holden falls into depression as loses trust from the people he admires. For example, he loses his trust in Mr. Antolini, who Holden respects, as he was caught inappropriately touching Holden. This also causes internal turmoil as he