Examples Of Depression In Catcher In The Rye
Holden Needs Some Help
Rollo May, an American existential psychologist says “Depression is the inability to construct a future.” (May). Mays quote relates to Holden because he has nothing to look forward to in life anymore. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden lives day by day. Holden never knows what he is going to do next which makes him in a depressed mood. In the story Holden shows symptoms of depression.
One common symptom of depression is “Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or "empty" feelings” ("Depression… Therapies.") Holden shows persistent sadness constantly in the story. Throughout the story Holden expresses what depresses him the most. While Holden visits Mr. Spencer he notices things that depresses him like when he says, “What made it even more depressing , old Spencer had on these very sad, ratty old bathrobes anyway” (Salinger 7). Holden becomes sadder when he sees other people who are sad or just look sad. Holden generally views the world and life as depressing. In another part of the story, Holden sits on couch looking at the girls that pass by and says, “Girls with their legs crossed, girls with their legs not crossed…it was really nice sightseeing, if you know what I mean. In a way, it was sort of depressing, too...” (Salinger 123). …show more content…
While Holden talks to Ackley, he says “I felt so lonesome, all of a sudden. I almost wished I was dead” (Salinger 48). If somebody is lonely they become sad since there is no one there to comfort them. When Holden isolates himself from everyone he thinks of all the sad things in life and wants to commit suicide. While Holden is all alone in his hotel room, he says “What I really felt like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window," (104). Throughout this whole story, Holden feels isolated from the world. He faces between hating the world and then wanting to connect with the
Rollo May, an American existential psychologist says “Depression is the inability to construct a future.” (May). Mays quote relates to Holden because he has nothing to look forward to in life anymore. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden lives day by day. Holden never knows what he is going to do next which makes him in a depressed mood. In the story Holden shows symptoms of depression.
One common symptom of depression is “Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or "empty" feelings” ("Depression… Therapies.") Holden shows persistent sadness constantly in the story. Throughout the story Holden expresses what depresses him the most. While Holden visits Mr. Spencer he notices things that depresses him like when he says, “What made it even more depressing , old Spencer had on these very sad, ratty old bathrobes anyway” (Salinger 7). Holden becomes sadder when he sees other people who are sad or just look sad. Holden generally views the world and life as depressing. In another part of the story, Holden sits on couch looking at the girls that pass by and says, “Girls with their legs crossed, girls with their legs not crossed…it was really nice sightseeing, if you know what I mean. In a way, it was sort of depressing, too...” (Salinger 123). …show more content…
While Holden talks to Ackley, he says “I felt so lonesome, all of a sudden. I almost wished I was dead” (Salinger 48). If somebody is lonely they become sad since there is no one there to comfort them. When Holden isolates himself from everyone he thinks of all the sad things in life and wants to commit suicide. While Holden is all alone in his hotel room, he says “What I really felt like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window," (104). Throughout this whole story, Holden feels isolated from the world. He faces between hating the world and then wanting to connect with the