The Catcher In The Ryetopics Essay Example
The Catcher In The Ryetopics Essay Example

The Catcher In The Ryetopics Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (575 words)
  • Published: January 22, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Depression is a brain disorder that typically starts during young adulthood and is considered a significant medical condition. It is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, environment, psychology, and biochemistry. Symptoms commonly associated with depression encompass feelings of sadness, alterations in weight, sleep disruptions or excessive fatigue, reduced energy levels, low self-esteem, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and thoughts of suicide.

Depression is a serious mental disorder that necessitates prompt intervention to avoid long-term consequences. When depression reaches its peak, individuals frequently become preoccupied with thoughts of death or suicide. In this essay, I will assertively contend that Holden Caulfield is undergoing depression. One evident indication exhibited by Holden Caulfield at the beginning of the book is

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insomnia.

While arguing with Stradlater and leaving Pencey during the night, Holden walks around the streets without feeling tired or sleepy. On page sixty-five, while talking on the phone with Faith Cavendish, she asks about the time. Later on that same page, she tells him that staying out late is not something she usually does because of her job responsibilities.

The excerpt shows that Holden is aware of the late hour, as mentioned on the subsequent page where he mentions not feeling sleepy or tired. On page sixty-six, Holden declares, "It was still pretty early. I’m not sure what time it was, but it wasn’t too late. The one thing I hate to do is to go to bed when I’m not even tired." This indicates that even after midnight, Holden does not feel fatigue or drowsiness, which is a symptom of depression. While this can happen to anyone, Holden displays

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multiple other signs of depression throughout the book.

One of his symptoms is loneliness, evident in his constant need for companionship, regardless of his opinion of others. For instance, he asked the guy about the ducks to join him for a drink, even though he didn't think highly of him. In Holden's case, he would even invite every cab driver he encountered to spend time with him. His loneliness became even more apparent when he accepted the invitation from Maurice, the elevator operator.

Despite being innocent, it was unexpected for him to accept the offer. However, it became clear later that his acceptance was driven by his loneliness and insomnia. His main desire was to have someone to converse with. In addition, Holden's thoughts about death and suicide indicate that he is experiencing depression. These thoughts are intensifying and leading him towards insanity, potentially causing him to commit unimaginable acts such as self-harm.

Holden experienced an overpowering and unbearable encounter with Maurice, which led him to desire death. He started imagining the horrifying spectacle that onlookers would witness if he were to jump out of the window. These unsettling thoughts are atypical for most people. I think Holden's depression arises from a combination of external and internal factors. Although not explicitly mentioned in the book, this can be inferred by reading between the lines.

Holden's potential depression could have stemmed from both the limited time he spent with his parents and the tragic loss of his brother Ackley. Moreover, rather than receiving empathy from his parents, they decided to send him to a therapist under the false assumption that he was

becoming mentally unstable. When people find themselves subjected to such treatment, they often feel compelled to feign normalcy, which is commonly referred to as patient bias.

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