Catcher In The Rye Depression

Words: 1182
Pages: 5

Depression is one of the most common mental challenges that most of the teenagers go through. Every human being has felt sad or depressed at times. However, depression can extend over a longer period of time. Feeling depressed can be a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. In the novel, “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D Salinger Holden feels alienated from the society, he doesn't like to communicate with people that often and feels lonely. Some of his actions and behavior can be the symptoms of depression. Holden might be suffering from depression because he is a teen, he was really devastated when his brother Allie died and he abuses cigarettes and alcohol.

Holden is a normal teen ager but in studies it has proven that most of the teenage kids feels depressed at some point of their teenage life. “High rates of anxiety and depression are reported among youth children aged 8-9 and above. These conditions are generally assessed using measures validated for typically developing youth.” (Huang, Chiungjung) this quote proves how Holden fits the age range of the kids and teenager that gets depressed easily. Also in the novel Holden says “Boy! I said. I also say Boy! quite a lot.
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He manages to do the composition for Stradlater is because he has a valid reason behind it and he thinks it's meaningful to him. He also wanted to commit suicide several times and feels really depressed and bad about himself. In the novel he says “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would've done it, too, if I'd been sure somebody'd cover me up as soon as I landed. I didn't want a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory.” This quote shows how Holden wants to die and move away from