Summary: A Perfect Day For Bananafish

No matter the time period or decade, there is always a norm that society pressures people to conform to and those who don’t are typically frowned upon. Those who struggle with mental illnesses or disabilities typically feel out of place and misunderstood. Society makes them feel like outcasts, which can lead to insecurities and sometimes depression. However, today, doctors and society know a lot more about different mental illnesses and the effects of them than in the past. Almost everything can be diagnosed and this means that a lot of symptoms can be fixed or subsided by medication or therapy. However, during the 20th century, there was little to no knowledge on mental illnesses. One being posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the short story “A Perfect Day For Bananafish” J.D. Salinger tells the story of a World War II veteran Seymour Glass who is struggling to find his place in society after returning from war. Throughout the story many symptoms of PTSD force Seymour to be isolated from the rest of the world. This isolation becomes so difficult for Seymour to handle that he turns to suicide. In “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” J.D. Salinger discusses how PTSD leads to isolation and how that isolation led to Seymour’s ultimate suicide.

Salinger demonstrates the effects of PTSD as isolation forces Seymour Glass into depression and ultimate suicide. As seen in the story, relationships with people are very important for mental health. This story can teach valuable lessons about mental health and depression. Today, mental illness and depression force thousands of people worldwide to commit suicide. Despite the fact that medication and therapy sessions are more prominent and helpful in modern society, many people still feel helpless and alone. Although society as a whole probably cannot fix this issue, individuals in the lives of those who are struggling can and should