Holdens Depression and Self-Doubt in Salingers Catcher...

As Eugene McNamara stated in his essay â€Å"Holden Caulfield as Novelist†, Holden, of J.D. Salinger’s novel Catcher in the Rye, had met with long strand of betrayals since he left Pencey Prep. These disappointments led him through the adult world with increasing feelings of depression and self-doubt, leading, finally to his mental breakdown. Holden’s first betrayal was that of his memory and innocence by an egotistical peer. At Pencey Prep, he roomed with a student named Stradlater; the epitome of a teenage jock. Stradlater was openly very vain; as Holden stated as he watched Stradlater gaze at himself in the mirror, â€Å"he was madly in love with himself. He thought he was the handsomest guy in the Western Hemisphere† (27). Because of his†¦show more content†¦Now here was Stradlater who could not even remember her proper name! It was a great show of disrespect for Holden’s memory of this bubbly, kind girl; it was a betrayal of his innoce nt heart and childhood memories. Holden’s disappointingly cold experience with sex and prostitution after he leaves Stradlater and Pencey Prep is a betrayal of his childish dreams of greatness and celebrity. As he enters the elevator of a New York City hotel, the elevator boy asks him if he wants a good time. Holden agrees, as he is â€Å"starting to feel pretty sexy and all† (92), being his first official chance to live up to his dreams of sexiness and manliness. His mind even starts to wander to his grand fantasy of â€Å"Caulfield and His Magic Violin† (93) in which he is the most adored man in all the world. He never, however, lives up to any of these egotistical illusions. His disappointment comes knocking at the door in the form of a young girl named Sunny. The minute she undresses, Holden feels odd and uncomfortable. He â€Å"know[s] that you’re supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head† (95), b ut he just felt embarrassed for her. His ego and dreams come crashing down, as his night is not of good times and achievement, but of a too young girl who is as nervous as he. It was quite depressing for him to realize that the adult world was made up not of the movie-like dreams he had entertained for so long, but of timid, depressing reality.Show MoreRelatedCatcher In The Rye Character Analysis940 Words   |  4 PagesIn chapter ten of J.D. Salinger’s, Catcher in the Rye, there are three important concepts: loneliness, depression, and idealism. Holden evinces these concepts when he talks about his younger sister, goes to the Lavender room, and mentions Radio City Music Hall. Each of these concepts builds upon each other, especially the idea that Holden is lonely. Holden is alone once he arrives in New York after leaving Pencey Prep. Holden’s loneliness makes him think of his younger sister, Phoebe, who has a lotRead MoreThe Theory Of Self Orientation1957 Words   |  8 PagesSelf-Orientation in a Confusing World The conscious essence is what defines each person as an individual. In the adolescent years one establishes their true self and begins to feel out their adult personality as they mature and grow as a person. For some this is a daunting task filled with confusion and self-doubt. The existentialist movement focuses on the independence of an individual to shape their lives through choices which help create their own values and give meaning to their own lives. TheRead MoreThe Theory Of Self Orientation1958 Words   |  8 PagesSelf-Orientation in a Confusing World The conscious essence is what defines each person as an individual. In the adolescent years one establishes their true self and begins to feel out their adult personality as they mature and grow as a person. For some this is a daunting task filled with confusion and self-doubt. The existentialist movement focuses on the independence of an individual to shape their lives through choices which help create their own values and give meaning to their own