Thats the whole trouble. He also doesnt give a crap. One time the weather Do you know what that means?. What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. He is constantly learning how people feel vs empathisizing. It has been suggested that Salinger himself related so closely to Holden that he was protective of the character. I asked her if shed care to have a hot chocolate or something with me, but she said no, thank you. Ive had quite a few opportunities to lose my virginity and all, but Ive never got around to it yet. The night he died is when the change first occurs, I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. Its full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to be able to buy a goddam Cadillac some day, and you have to keep making believe you give a damn if the football team loses, and all you do is talk about girls and liquor and sex all day, and everybody sticks together in these dirty little goddam cliques.. He is every teenager caught between the crapy little games of high school (youre supposed to kill yourself if the football team loses or something) and the fear of adulthood (going to get an office job and make a lot [Ackley] took another look at my hat []. [170]. When they stop at a red light, Ernie starts caressing the steering wheel lovingly. When And How Does Holden Interact With Homosexuality? Holden Caulfield is so very dear to my heart. "Yes I do. You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? WebLast Updated: Jan 24, 2023 Article History Table of Contents Holden Caulfield, fictional character, the teenaged protagonist and narrator of J.D. He was pushed around from school to school, failing and being expelled from the majority of them due to his poor behavior. Whenever Brian showed up or was mentioned on screen I immediately thought he was autistic. Expulsion from Pencey Prep. When talking about a student in his school, Ackley, he says, He hardly ever went anywhere. For instance, many have speculated that Holdens brother, D.B., is actually Vincent. And all she could talk about was how much those other two girls in the picture were gossiping and being mean to each other. All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid shed fall off the goddam horse, but I didnt say anything or do anything. In David Finchers The Social Network and J. D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye, an account of two youngsters, Holden Caulfield and Mark Zuckerberg face numerous challenges and at last are entirely defenseless spirits. What did he need to look more handsome for? Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Holdens rebellion is not against some spooky threat like the establishment or capitalist America, but rather against something far more threatening to teenagers: maturity. Salingers Catcher in the Rye. Sally meets a guy she knew and Holden sees him as phony. But no matter what I said, he asked me to say it again. He knows what hes doing. She hates them, that old Pheobe. His general health is poor. This is one of my favorites. It is sometimes mistakenly reported that the name "Holden Caulfield" was derived by Salinger from a marquee or poster for the film Dear Ruth, starring William Holden and Joan Caulfield, but Dear Ruth was released in 1947 more than a year-and-a-half after Holden Caulfield's first appearance in print, and more than six years after Salinger's first unpublished short story was written using this name for a character. I also had my biggest major elopement (during which I ended up temporarily homeless and didnt return home) during the most intense manic episode of my life just recently. (LogOut/ He also has a very negative view of homosexuals and calls them perverts and queers. His feelings are typically adolescent, feelings shared by virtually everyone who is or ever has been his age. Holden hates this, Grand. To put it simply, Holden is struggling. He both condemns and accepts it at different points, but his feelings are ultimately ones of confusion and discomfort. WebThe obvious signs that Holden is a troubled and unreliable narrator are manifold: he fails out of four schools; he manifests complete apathy toward his future; he is hospitalized, and visited by a psychoanalyst, for an unspecified complaint; and It is the title that summarizes the book in a few words and in this case, it is The Catcher in the rye. On a side note, I definitely think Bill's son might be on the spectrum. Holden is self-medicating with alcohol because he doesnt know what else to do, or who else to turn to. When I read Holdens point of view, I felt that I had some things in common with him. See ya, doc, I called out. I dont care. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. 2023 EduBirdie.com. "Because you dont," she said. An earlier version of this story, titled "Are You Banging Your Head Against a Wall?" Depression is a serious issue and if it goes untreated for long enough, it can lead to one taking their life, Depression is a key risk factor for suicide (Suicide). Shes really pretty, but sometimes I cant stand listening to her talk. One time in particular, I remember. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holden-Caulfield, National Public Radio - Holden Caulfield: Giving Voice to Generations. He just keeps falling and falling. Thats probably the only reason why he posted it after all. I don't remember anything they said about it other than that they claimed he was hallucinating a voice saying "F*** you" or something. At one point, Holden begins picturing his funeral, I kept picturing her not knowing what to do with all my suits and athletic equipment and all. Mostly I use my account so I can make comments on my sister, Pheobes profile. Synopsis: The dorm was empty. Holden obviously believes that he is more intelligent, more enlightened, or somehow better than all of those around him, but this is not the case. She is in this Benedict Arnold costume and she looks so great. She is hysterical, old Pheobe. He has trouble being very intimate unless he knows the girl well and likes her a lot. Initially, he gave up on reading it after dropping out from Pinole Valley High School when he was 18 years old. His interactions with the prostitute Sunny are comic as well as touching, partly because they are both adolescents trying to be adults. Holden acts this way to hide his own insecurities. I think you feel sad about your own childhood.. (Never mind that even museum displays change.) He kept telling me to start reciting the Declaration of Independence, like it was so important. He couldn't relate to his peers because he was so far beyond them--like an old soul. He asks many adults in the novel where the ducks go, and either they dont have an answer, or they give a nonsensical onewhich shows that adults dont know too much about growing up either. He decides to head back to New York City, where he is from, but he doesnt go home. It could also be a result of him overcorrecting by reiterating himself because he has grown up with people misunderstanding what he is saying, leading him to say the same thing in multiple ways before people ask him to. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.". All rights reserved, Holden Caulfield and Preserving Innocence in Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield's Journey from Depression to Happiness, Holden Caulfield as the Main Character of the Book Catcher in the Rye, The Challenges of Holden Caulfield and Mark Zuckerberg, Analysis Of Holden Caulfield As A Typical Teenager In The Catcher In The Rye By J.D. I had pills too. It made me depressed, just thinking about old Mr. Langhorn with those shoes. He wandered around from place to place because he refused to go home to his family. I said no, there wouldnt be marvelous places to go to after I went to college and all. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. The story is notable for the appearance of Phoebe and Vincent's statements about a child crawling off a cliff. This shows a lot about Holdens own mental disorders and the mindset he is perpetuating. That makes sense. You can order a unique, plagiarism-free paper written by a professional writer. We were about to arrive in New York, but I wasnt tired. They didnt get sanctioned as severely as Holden expected. And I was wonderingwhat psychological "disorder" does Holden (main character) have? He has extreme social issues because he feels as if he can't fit in with his peers. It was depressing really. Holden also says things like where do the ducks go in the winter? which seems completely obvious to me and I didnt understand until the 8th time I read this book that it is symbolic. All of these factors contributed to the mental hardships that he dealt with on a daily basis. Holden is 16 years old as the central story begins, tall at 6 feet 2 1/2 inches, partially gray-haired, and woefully skinny. That reminds me of my therapist back from a few years ago. Green Day wrote a song titled "Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?" It begins with Caulfield standing on a hill at Pencey Prep watching a football game below, and develops as Holden visits with his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, for a talk about his expulsion from school and his future. Chapters 25-26, Next You could go there a hundred times, and that Eskimo would still be just finished catching those two fish, the birds would still be on their way south, the deers would still be drinking out of that water hole, with their pretty antlers and their pretty, skinny legs, and that squaw with the naked bosom would still be weaving that same blanket. Although Sunny is the more frightening of the two, neither belongs there. WebHolden is a rebel. D. Salinger: Rare Quixotic Gesture, 1961: On the surface, Holden Caulfield is Salingers typical quixotic hero in search, once again, of the simple truth. Posted on 26/01/2012 Anyone whos read The Catcher in the Rye probably thought, at one point or another, that Holden Caulfeld is flat out bipolar. She and I kind of have a friends with benefits thing, but I think she wants to be FBO. I was with one of them a few weeks back. Joined: 12 Nov 2007Age: 65Gender: MalePosts: 7,015. Holden had a severely bad and difficult time to cope with the untreated grief as well as depression. The result is depression and hospitalization. WebIhab Hassan, in J. The man falling isnt permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom. How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. They said that I had to learn to follow directions. Holden also denies his own interests, namely film and literature, making it seem like he has a poor sense of himself. You dont.". After the play, Sally and Holden see, Holden sees all the people and views them all as phony, At the end of the first act we went out with all the other jerks for a cigarette. for their second studio album, Kerplunk (1991) after lead singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong read The Catcher in the Rye. Thats all Id do all day. Throughout the story, Holden perfectly mirrored what it is like to actually be diagnosed with depression in the real world. I wasnt feeling sexy with her at all and I didnt want to lead her on. There was another post from this girl who went to the school across from Pencey. I dont know what that has to do with anything, but he seemed to really want to know about how he died and whether I talked to anyone about it. The experiences and thoughts of Holden Caulfield accurately represent those of real-world depression patients. An edited version of this short story later became the basis of several chapters in the middle-late section of The Catcher in the Rye dealing with Caulfield's date with Sally Hayes, during which he confesses his desire to run away with her, meets Carl Luce for drinks, and makes a drunken phone call to the Hayes' home. Those suffering from depression tend to avoid admitting that they have a problem, Many people who have depression do not get help (Suicide and Depression). I thought he was the typical moody middle-classer that we now call emo. I had to stop taking them every few weeks so it didnt stunt my growth, and there was no difference in how well I listened when I was on them or off them, so my mother stopped giving them to me by the end of that year. WebHolden is a highly layered character, and to make a distinction as black and white as him being good or bad diminishes his humanity. The exact causes of depression are unknown. Download. is alive and working as a writer in Hollywood. Once home, he is not shown confronting his parents, who, according to the maid, are playing bridge. She doesnt always have anything good to say, but she never stops talking. While the cause of death in Catcher is leukemia, here it is due to an unspecified heart condition. Youre by no means alone on that scoreMany, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Depression affects all aspects of life, Depression is technically a mental disorder, but it also affects your physical health and well-being (The Effects of Depression) and can lead to serious problems for a person. He was crying and crying. Salingers novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951). He has the potential to be the first realistic teenage homosexual character in English literature, which would give him a special significance. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. A major theme in The Catcher in the Rye is running away. But Im glad he didnt. I decided to untag myself from that picture. However, when looking at all of the data together, it seems more likely that Holden is heterosexual. One thing I like?" We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours. I told him about breaking the windows in my garage. Ultimately, it is up to the reader to decide Holdens sexuality for themselves. LitCharts Teacher Editions. He never had a girlfriend. I couldnt wait to get out of Pencey. "The Last and Best of the Peter Pans" relates the story of Vincent's draft questionnaire being hidden by his mother. I tried to read it a few years ago; I couldn't get more than halfway through it. He seems to be getting the help he needed. When Phoebe finishes riding the carousel, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. I felt like jumping out the window. Where are you going? Suicide rates have spiked in recent years and suicide is a huge problem, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US (Suicide Statistics). I do. Holden Caulfield is one of the most enduring characters in 20th-century American fiction. I want you to learn how to let yourself trust other people. It took me quite a while to get to sleepI wasnt even tiredbut finally I did. That kills me. Many people with depression, dont get professional help. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? I decided I couldnt take it anymore, so I just packed up my things and left. Holden Caulfield grew up with little to no parental guidance. It makes me wonder if Holden is bipolar like me in addition to possibly being an ADHD-autist. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. There was this one time, however, that he told me something I really remember. "This Sandwich Has No Mayonnaise" (Esquire, 1945) has a mention of Holden missing in action during the war. Holden Caulfield is much more than a whiner--he sees the underbelly of a person and he is a saint--the world troubles him, and he's right, it sure is troubling. He mainly shows signs attributed to depression. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The hat reminds him of Allie and he feels safe in the hat. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951, it was an instant success. Those that call him the "phony" don't truly understand his motives. This fiction reveals more truth about the world than an individuals reality can often supply. I have 26 followers and I dont post that much. The rephrasing might be evidence that Holdens brain moves at a different speed than his mouth does, which is something some hyperverbal NDs have trouble with. The young teenage boy says that he wants to be the one who stands at the bottom of the cliff and catch the children that are playing in the Rye that may run off the edge accidently. The term was used by the NAZIS to describe ppl inthe spectrum taht were 'useful'. His life was complicated by the death of his younger brother, and the negative reaction that it invoked from his parents. WebThe character of Holden Caulfield in J.D. However, it can stem from trauma and other bad experiences from the past, Early childhood trauma can cause depression. WebCaulfield is a brutally honest character in terms of his thoughts and questions. He sounded just like a girl (Salinger 69). To Holden, Pencey and the other prep schools that he has attended represent all that is artificial ("phony" is one of Holden's favorite words to describe this artificiality) and all that is despicable about any institution controlled by adults. Id just be the catcher in the rye and all. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. But why should I have to memorize something that I could Google anytime I wanted. Holden Caulfield would probably have two hemorrhages if he heard someone say this, but its true that even for thoughtful and otherwise independent people it simply feels good sometimes to know youre doing the exact same thing as He also has some unusual ideas of what is important, such as his recurring question about where the ducks go when the pond freezes over. Holden has suicidal thoughts multiple times throughout the novel. Character Analysis Because of Holdens extreme lack of interest, he fails four out of five classes. He is both an antihero, a protagonist with qualities at odds with the stereotypically "heroic" image, and an everyman, whose experiences are to some degree "universal," at least in his respective culture. But one question that has continued to intrigue readers is whether or not Holden Caulfield, the books main character, is gay. Tips For Efficiency: Worldly Repository of Knowledge, Reasons Why Holden Caulaulfields Sexuality matters. I care about you deeply, Holden. Like Holden. He probably does this because the words feel good in his mouth or head or because they are words he has learned to say in certain situations, in other words, scripting. The fact that Holden seems to be analyzing and categorizing everyone else he speaks to, such as his description of Stradlater as what might be the first example of a Chad jock and of Ackley as an abhorrent, socially unaware loser that Holden is glad he is not, contributes to this. Have no time to work on your essay? Web3. ", "Like hell it is." Also, the event that probably destroyed all faith and trust he had in society and people were when James Castle from Elkton Hills, jumped to his death. Holden Caulfield is the main character of J. D. Salinger's renowned coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951). The man falling isnt permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom.
