Analyze The Reasons For Holden's Depression

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The novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger takes place in the 1950’s. The novel is written from the point of view of Holden Caulfield, a very depressed teenager. There are many underlying causes that lead to Holden’s depression. One of the major reasons for Holden’s depression is failing at many different things. Holden does not have any close friends to talk to and has a very hard time establishing long term relationships. Another cause for his depression is the death of his younger brother Allie, he has always thought that the world would have been better off if he had died instead of his brother. There are many reasons for Holden’s depression including multiple failures, having very few friends, and the death of his younger brother Allie. A large portion of Holden’s depression comes from failing multiple times. He has flunked almost every class he has taken except English. When he fails, his classes, he does not care about it and goes on with his life. Holden is kicked out of Pence Prep because of his low grades and his inability to take school seriously. This quote shows that he does not care about his future in education. “They gave me frequent warning to start applying myself- but I didn’t do it.” One of the major factors for Holden’s depression is his multiple…show more content…
They include having many failures, not having any close friends, and the loss of his younger brother Allie. Since his many failures at school, Holden has been in a downward spiral that will eventually lead to his mental break down. Not being able to talk to any close friends makes Holden’s depression much worse. Holden thinks that he should be dead instead of his brother Allie which does not help with his depression. If Holden’s parents had let him go to a school near his apartment he might have been able to establish a few long term relationships. With some new friends he might have gained some confidence and turned his life
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