Holden Caulfield Character Analysis

J.D Salinger’s classic novel, Catcher in the Rye, tells the tale of narrator Holden Caulfield (PBS, 2011). It is clear throughout the novel that Holden’s life parallels much of Salinger’s background, leaving readers to consider the likely possibility that Salinger based his main character in the novel off of himself. For example, both Salinger and Caulfield were sent away to private boarding schools at a young age by their wealthy parents from New York (PBS, 2011). Throughout the novel, Caulfield allows readers into his head to deal with many issues he faces as he is in a mental hospital—likely based on the true events of Salinger’s life. Some of these complicated issues include identity, fitting in, loss, relationships, isolation, sexuality …show more content…
J.D Salinger seemed to have symptoms of diminished interest and detachment from this category. For example, when J.D Salinger arrived back from war he built a tall wooden fence around his house in rural New Hampshire (Medicus, 2014). Additionally, he built something resembling a bunker where he would hide for days alone as he wrote (Medicus, 2014). These actions were likely J.D Salinger’s attempt at withdrawing from the world. Prior to going to war, J.D Salinger had a passion for acting and was even voted as the most popular actor, according to counselors and campers at his camp (PBS, 2014). However, following his time at war he showed no signs of continuing his passion of acting and theatre. It is possible that this loss of interest in something he was once passionate about is a symptom of his …show more content…
During his first visit to the hospital the doctors likely attempted to treat him with psychological debriefing, which is common for veterans (Slawenski, 2011). In this treatment, the client is given emotional support by allowing them to speak about his or her experiences (Comer, 2015). Additionally, psychologists seemed to use talk therapy—perhaps from a psychoanalytic Freudian viewpoint when he recalled being asked questions such as “How was your childhood” and “What is your sex life like?” (Slawenski, 2010). Perhaps if he had sought treatment today he would have been treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and had better outcomes (Comer, 2015). In this therapy, he would have undergone prolonged exposure in which he spoke about his issues many times in order to help them become less intense over time (Comer, 2015). While he worked on this cognitive component, his therapist would have taught him various relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises that he could use while he was thinking or speaking about his traumatic experiences (Comer,