Anthony D’Angelo
Holden’s Mental Journey
How does Holden’s trip to New York city in The Catcher in the Rye disallow him from reaching mental stability?
Everyone in his or her life will face adversity at one time or another. Although facing adversity can be tough both mentally and physically on someone, dealing with hardships is necessary for the growth of one´s character. Today's society, however, can pose many distractions that can deter one from reaching a goal and overcoming certain adversity in their life. Highlighting this occurring issue in one's life, J.D. Salinger describes in his novel The Catcher in the Rye a young protagonist under the name of Holden Caulfield, who gets kicked out of boarding school and lives a life in New …show more content…
Before leaving Pencey, it is clear that some people did care about Holden’s well being. For example, at Pencey, there were some teachers that wanted Holden to succeed, such as Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer is trying to guide Holden in the right direction, but is unable to do so. He did not listen and left the school, which is the first brick in the mental wall he is building. Instead of Holden going home to his parents and his sister, he instead ostracizes himself from everyone. In the text, it is clear that Holden misses his sister and his family, but he uses New York city as a way not avoid them. It is clear, however, that Holden really wanted to see them. When first in New York, Holden stated “I damn near gave my kid sister Phoebe a buzz, though. I certainly felt like talking to her on the phone. Somebody with sense and all. But I couldn't take a chance on giving her a buzz, because she was only a little kid and she wouldn't have been up, let alone anywhere near the phone. I thought of maybe hanging up if my parents answered, but that wouldn't've worked, either. They'd know it was me. My mother always knows it's me. She's psychic. But I certainly wouldn't have minded shooting the crap with old Phoebe for a while. (10.2)” It is clear to see Holden loves Phoebe and truly misses his family, but he is unable to go home …show more content…
Holden believes that he is a victim in the world he lives in. Even though he comes from a very privileged family and goes to a very good boarding school, he still thinks everyone is out to get him. When being told that life is a game, Holden stated “Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.” Holden blames his loneliness on the world because he thinks everyone in the world are “phonies”. From early on, one can tell this is the case because of the loss of his brother Allie. Holden constantly brings up how much he admired Allie and how smart he was. This seems to be the root of Holden’s loneliness. When Holden goes to New York, he tries meeting people at bars, asking his taxi drivers out to get a drink, and Holden even meets up with a prostitute. He uses New York to cover up his loneliness because he is making some interactions, but he is simply building his physiological barrier even higher. Holden is trying to feel less lonely, but being in New York is just preventing him from getting rid of his loneliness because he is just making meaningless interactions with
Holden’s Mental Journey
How does Holden’s trip to New York city in The Catcher in the Rye disallow him from reaching mental stability?
Everyone in his or her life will face adversity at one time or another. Although facing adversity can be tough both mentally and physically on someone, dealing with hardships is necessary for the growth of one´s character. Today's society, however, can pose many distractions that can deter one from reaching a goal and overcoming certain adversity in their life. Highlighting this occurring issue in one's life, J.D. Salinger describes in his novel The Catcher in the Rye a young protagonist under the name of Holden Caulfield, who gets kicked out of boarding school and lives a life in New …show more content…
Before leaving Pencey, it is clear that some people did care about Holden’s well being. For example, at Pencey, there were some teachers that wanted Holden to succeed, such as Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer is trying to guide Holden in the right direction, but is unable to do so. He did not listen and left the school, which is the first brick in the mental wall he is building. Instead of Holden going home to his parents and his sister, he instead ostracizes himself from everyone. In the text, it is clear that Holden misses his sister and his family, but he uses New York city as a way not avoid them. It is clear, however, that Holden really wanted to see them. When first in New York, Holden stated “I damn near gave my kid sister Phoebe a buzz, though. I certainly felt like talking to her on the phone. Somebody with sense and all. But I couldn't take a chance on giving her a buzz, because she was only a little kid and she wouldn't have been up, let alone anywhere near the phone. I thought of maybe hanging up if my parents answered, but that wouldn't've worked, either. They'd know it was me. My mother always knows it's me. She's psychic. But I certainly wouldn't have minded shooting the crap with old Phoebe for a while. (10.2)” It is clear to see Holden loves Phoebe and truly misses his family, but he is unable to go home …show more content…
Holden believes that he is a victim in the world he lives in. Even though he comes from a very privileged family and goes to a very good boarding school, he still thinks everyone is out to get him. When being told that life is a game, Holden stated “Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.” Holden blames his loneliness on the world because he thinks everyone in the world are “phonies”. From early on, one can tell this is the case because of the loss of his brother Allie. Holden constantly brings up how much he admired Allie and how smart he was. This seems to be the root of Holden’s loneliness. When Holden goes to New York, he tries meeting people at bars, asking his taxi drivers out to get a drink, and Holden even meets up with a prostitute. He uses New York to cover up his loneliness because he is making some interactions, but he is simply building his physiological barrier even higher. Holden is trying to feel less lonely, but being in New York is just preventing him from getting rid of his loneliness because he is just making meaningless interactions with