How Do Past Events Change Holden's Life

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Holden, Changed by Past Events During the course of Holden Caulfield’s life, there have been many events that have changed Holden into the person he is today. Due to a rough childhood, Holden had a tremendously tough time transitioning into adulthood. Such things as his younger brother’s death, and his older brother moving to Hollywood contributed to Holden becoming depressed. A chain reaction started. Holden was kicked out of several schools, and he was left on his own at Pencey. Holden did not fit in well, and he cannot get along with anyone. Holden is affected very much by previous events in his life, and this continues to define who Holden is today. Holden, miserable after his brother Allie’s death, is in deep depression.…show more content…
Holden claims, “He used to just be a regular writer, when he was home” (1). This shows that Holden is against the fact that D.B. is in Hollywood. Holden thinks that D.B. is not writing what he wants, and is being taken into the whole Hollywood scene. Holden also says, “Now he’s out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute” (2). He doesn’t mean this as a prostitute that sells himself or herself for self for sex, but he means that D.B. is selling his writing talents, and isn’t writing because he likes to write. Now that Allie is dead and that D.B. moved away, Holden feels that he doesn’t have anyone. It is just he and his little sister Phoebe. Holden also misses his family, and rarely gets to see them because he goes to a boarding school. Holden feels depressed from the prior events in his family, and no longer has the desire to learn or strive to be successful. Holden feels distant from his family, and needs their loving care. After a rough childhood, Holden just needs someone, like Phoebe, there for him. He needs love and support from his family, and their sending him to boarding school to fend for himself is not a good idea. Holden can’t find a true friend in anyone, and he is trying to fill the hole that his brother’s death left in his life. Holden considers everyone a phony, and can’t seem to make friends or talk to girls. He tries to find romance, but he always ends up ruining the…show more content…
He is depressed, and in need of someone to talk to and to spend time with. His brother, Allie, was very important to him. When Allie died, Holden was a wreck, and is still affected by it today. He is also mad about his other brother, D.B., for leaving for Hollywood to become a “big time writer.” Holden is severely depressed by prior events in his life, and has no one to turn to for help and advice. In conclusion, the course of events that happened prior to Holden’s attending Pencey had changed who Holden was negatively, and this is apparent in his lack of attempt to become