Free Catcher in the Rye Essays: Manic-Depressive Holden :: free essay writer

Manic-Depressive Behavior Exhibited in The backstop in the Rye The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, portrays Holden Cawfield a hot York City teenager in the 1950s as a manic-depressive. Holdens depression starts with the death of his brother, Allie . Holden is expelled from numerous schools due to his poor academics which ar brought on by his depression. Manic depression, compulsive lying, and immaturity throughout the novel characterize Holden. Events in Holdens life lead him to become depressed. Holdens depression centers on Allie. The modal value that Holden sees himself and how he sees others leads him to be expelled from school. The speaker expresses, One thing about packing depressed me a little, (51). Holden expresses these feelings when he packs his bags after being notified that he is expelled. Holden leaves school and heads for New York City, where he finds himself to be more lonely and depressed than ever. He is all alone and he laments, What I really tangle like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window, (104). Holden says this while he is all alone in his motel room. He is too ashamed of himself to return home, he knows that his mother leave alone be upset and his father will be angry with him. He also adds that I wasnt feeling sleepy or anything, but I was feeling sort of lousy. Depressed and all, I almost wished I was dead, (90). Holden states this during one of the first nights that he is staying in New York. Holden expresses many thoughts of depression. Compulsive lying is another(prenominal) characteristic that Holden exhibits. Holden would tell people lies just so they could not become closer to the real Holden. Holden tells lies on numerous occasions to gain. Holden pathetically tells Mrs. Morrow, I set out to have a tiny operation it isnt very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on my brain (58). She tells Holden that she is very sorry and she is burnished that he shall be well soon. Holden then catches him self in a lie and he remarkes, Once I get started, I can go on for hours if I feel like it, (58). This compulsive lying shows that Holden is not satisfied with himself and that he feels that people will judge him critically.