Examples Of Depression In Catcher In The Rye

There is this young man, not even twenty. He leaves school every day, going “home” to a shelter, where he takes care of his two younger siblings. His mother took her own life when his father deserted their family. This man works three jobs, struggling to provide for his family. He reminisces to times before the abuse and loss. He cries himself to sleep every night, hoping for something: anything. All he feels is a great pain building up in his heart. He cannot bear it much longer. He feels depressed. Depression is a mental illness in which millions of people struggle with each and every day. Look around, depression is everywhere; whether one physically expresses it or not. If not treated, depression can lead to death by suicide. In fact, research

Nine major traits of depression include exaggeration, depression, isolation/alienation, violent outbursts, lying, nervousness, living in a fantasy world, being emotionally unstable, and having immature relationships. Through his words and actions, Holden demonstrates these characteristics. With ease, Holden categorizes as being depressed, as he even directly admits it numerous times throughout his journey. Holden states, “I felt more depressed than sexy, if you want to know the truth” (96). Once again, he says, “I guess it was because I was feeling so damn depressed and lonesome” (169). Holden also mentions wanting to commit suicide time after time again. He says, “Anyway, I’m sort of glad they’ve got the atomic bomb invented. If there’s ever another war, I’m going to sit right the hell on top of it. I’ll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will” (156). Holden’s depression is rather self-explanatory. Visioning oneself committing suicide is a major sign of depression. People only have one shot at life and wanting death is not a good sign for someone who is enjoying theirs. Holden is clearly struggling, considering most of his thoughts are completely morbid. The characteristics of depression Holden experiences throughout the book are significant and give insight into his true

In this time period, almost everyone acts happy, as if everything in their life is going perfectly, even when it is not. Holden is not about that phony lifestyle, and will never cease to admit his depression. Holden has been to at least three different schools within the past two to three years alone, all as a result of the unfortunate event of his little brother Allie’s death from cancer a few years prior to the telling of this story. His death took a huge toll on Holden and his parents, which is why they sent him off to boarding school in the first place. After Allie’s death, all Holden sees from his parents is isolation, after all, they send him off for someone else to deal with him. Since Holden does not like to mention the traumas in his life, he alienates himself from others, whether it be at Pencey Prep or in New York City. On the day of the big football game at school, Holden says “I was standing way the hell up on top of Thomsen Hill, right next to this crazy cannon that was in the Revolutionary War [...] you could hear them all yelling, deep and terrific on the Pencey side, because practically the whole school except me was there” (4-5). Holden has the option to go stand with everyone else, but chooses not to do that; therefore, no one is specifically there to see him or notice he is missing in such a large crowd. Even though Holden does not like to act fake with his