Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in everyday activities. This is the word that comes to mind when i think of Holden Caulfield's mental state. In the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden has traits of depression and is a recurring theme throughout the novel.
For instance, in the beginning of the book, Holden explains, “What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of good-by. I mean I’ve left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know Im leaving it. If you don’t, you feel even worse” (Salinger 4). Holden shows that he wants …show more content…
In chapter 2 he explains to Mr. Spencer that, “People never notice anything” (Salinger 9). He talks about how when people saw him they thought he was younger for the way he acted. For example, he’s seventeen but sometimes has the maturity level of a thirteen year old. Even though most of the time he is immature, he still can be a mature adult. When Holden says that nobody notices at all, he means that when he acts mature, it’s ignored by his family and friends. Holden feels that no one cares about him and he isn’t ever happy because of the way people view him as a child instead of a young adult. This show’s the mental state of Holden and how he deals with …show more content…
It made me feel not so depressed anymore” (Salinger 115). This is the first time Holden officially says to the reader that he is depressed. Whether he meant it literally or not, he notices that his symptoms aren't minor. He sees that his sadness and anger isn’t just a feeling, it’s a lifestyle that won’t go away.
In chapter 22, Holden visits Phoebe while his parents arent at the house. She and him get into an argument about why he isn't around and phoebe argues that,”You don’t like anything that's happening. . . You don’t like any schools, You don’t like a million things. You don’t” (Salinger 169). Just as the definition of depression show’s, Holden has lost interest in the everyday activities he would normally “enjoy” as a teenager. This includes school, hanging with friends, and just enjoying life in general. This evidence points back to my thesis as a trait of
For instance, in the beginning of the book, Holden explains, “What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of good-by. I mean I’ve left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know Im leaving it. If you don’t, you feel even worse” (Salinger 4). Holden shows that he wants …show more content…
In chapter 2 he explains to Mr. Spencer that, “People never notice anything” (Salinger 9). He talks about how when people saw him they thought he was younger for the way he acted. For example, he’s seventeen but sometimes has the maturity level of a thirteen year old. Even though most of the time he is immature, he still can be a mature adult. When Holden says that nobody notices at all, he means that when he acts mature, it’s ignored by his family and friends. Holden feels that no one cares about him and he isn’t ever happy because of the way people view him as a child instead of a young adult. This show’s the mental state of Holden and how he deals with …show more content…
It made me feel not so depressed anymore” (Salinger 115). This is the first time Holden officially says to the reader that he is depressed. Whether he meant it literally or not, he notices that his symptoms aren't minor. He sees that his sadness and anger isn’t just a feeling, it’s a lifestyle that won’t go away.
In chapter 22, Holden visits Phoebe while his parents arent at the house. She and him get into an argument about why he isn't around and phoebe argues that,”You don’t like anything that's happening. . . You don’t like any schools, You don’t like a million things. You don’t” (Salinger 169). Just as the definition of depression show’s, Holden has lost interest in the everyday activities he would normally “enjoy” as a teenager. This includes school, hanging with friends, and just enjoying life in general. This evidence points back to my thesis as a trait of