He is only hypercritical of adults, who he sees as phonies and sell-outs. Where are you going? In J.D Salingers The Catcher in The Rye, the reader is presented to Holden Caulfield, a 17-year-old whos retelling the story of him at 16 facing rough times. It focuses on a fight between two characters named Bobby and Stradlater over Bobby's feelings about Jane Gallagher. In fact, when he talks about Stradlaters date with Jane Gallagher, he seems more disgusted than anything else.I couldnt see what was so hot about him.. WebHolden is a rebel. After his friend leaves he stays at the bar, getting very drunk, Boy, I sat at that goddam bar till around one oclock or so, getting drunk as a bastard. I just finished reading the book, Catcher in the Rye. I was so hopeful about the therapist subplot because I thought he was finally going to be diagnosed and given help. The story was reportedly sold to a magazine, only to be taken back by Salinger before publication. Initially, he gave up on reading it after dropping out from Pinole Valley High School when he was 18 years old. Holden Caulfield is much more than a whiner--he sees the underbelly of a person and he is a saint--the world troubles him, and he's right, it sure is troubling. [Ackley] took another look at my hat []. While taking the elevator back to his hotel room. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Holden Caulfield is gay because of the way he speaks about women, his interests, and his overall demeanor. On a side note, I definitely think Bill's son might be on the spectrum. Instead Nancy dug into her denial and whisked him away. Some people see him as a whiny proto-emo, some see him as just a stupid teenage boy, and some see him as a misunderstood anti-hero. Download. Corrections? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Holden Caulfield Character Analysis in The Catcher in the Rye Holden even has a fantasy about pretending to be mute and living in the woods so he no longer has to meet peoples expectations. However, there seems to be a wall between Holden and most of the other people he interacts with. The fact that he lies about his age specifically might also mean he feels disconnected from his chronological age, which is another ND trait. He started talking a lot about automatic thoughts, about expecting people to disappoint me, and about anxiety over my relationships. From his outlook on the world to his actions, and even his past, it is very easy to see that he has a mental health issue and needed to seek help. He does lie, but most of his lies are random and outrageous, such as when he tells two different strangers that he is twelve and forty, despite being seventeen, suggesting impulsivity. The character, as Holden Caulfield, appears in Salinger's "Slight Rebellion off Madison", published in the December 21, 1946, issue of The New Yorker. Throughout the book, we get to see how Caulfield develops and emerges into adulthood and his feelings towards it. Nobodyd be different. Holden interacts with homosexuality in a variety of ways and at different points in his life. He is our first representation of ADHD as well as autism on this blog. WebHolden Caulfield is the main character of J.D. equinn, Joined: 2 Dec 2006Age: 36Gender: FemalePosts: 408Location: somewhere else. Down felt and thought like Holden but apparently they dont. Salingers novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951). and any corresponding bookmarks? Except Carl really needed them to focus his parents told him. I got up close so I could hear what he was singing. WebIts the LXVIIth time theyve met. His life was complicated by the death of his younger brother, and the negative reaction that it invoked from his parents. But he despises the compromises, loss of innocence, absence of integrity, and loss of authenticity in the grown-up world. Salinger, Catcher In The Rye By J.D. He will not allow book to be made into movie. I cant stand all of the phonies on their profiles with all of their pictures of themselves and all of the comments about how good they look and how they just went to these great places. The man falling isnt permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom. Good old Carl another kid that started taking pills in kindergarten like me. When he asks, she responds with, Thatd be grand (Salinger 57). To Holden, Pencey and the other prep schools that he has attended represent all that is artificial ("phony" is one of Holden's favorite words to describe this artificiality) and all that is despicable about any institution controlled by adults. He shows that he is suffering, even though, to everyone else he may seem fine. Returning to the bar after his phone conversation with Sally. Do you think you are angry now? he asked me. Holden Caulfield grew up with little to no parental guidance. [W]hile I was sitting down, I saw something that drove me crazy. I said no, there wouldnt be marvelous places to go to after I went to college and all. Holden is not interested in men and does not seem to understand homosexual relationships or attractions. He just keeps falling and falling. Holden is shown to have trouble regulating his attention throughout the book. Character Analysis My theory is that Holden has too much of a sense of himself, he knows that he is different, and he is attempting to mask because being Holden has been shown to be a negative thing. For example, in The Catcher in the Rye, Allie was the brother of the main character, Holden Caulfield. As Caulfield narrates his story from a 17-year-old perspective from a year before, he is depicted as a stable, Holden Caulfield was a seemingly unsolvable anomaly. you ever read "The Catcher in He never had a girlfriend. This classic tale of Holden Caulfield, told WebHolden Caulfield is a troubled character who shows clear signs of clinical depression. It was the third school I had flunked out of, and my Dad was going to be sore as hell. But why should I have to memorize something that I could Google anytime I wanted. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Here's an excerpt from my "diagnosis" of Holden. He is every teenager caught between the crapy little games of high school (youre supposed to kill yourself if the football team loses or something) and the fear of adulthood (going to get an office job and make a lot He bought a red hat at the beginning of the novel. Webduncan hines devils food cake brownies. One thing I like?" Imagine that you are living in the middle of the 1950s and you are located in the middle of New York City, ordering a smoothie from a store with your girlfriend. I think you need to let yourself get closer to others. He stood as soon as he said that. Explanation Behind The Sporadic Actions Of Holden Caulfield However, when looking at all of the data together, it seems more likely that Holden is heterosexual. What Holden probably didn't realize in the novel was that his idea of those who are innocent is not very accurate. (Never mind that even museum displays change.) He claims to see through the insincerity and inauthenticity of adult society, branding people around him phonies even people who perhaps dont deserve Is Holden Caulfield autistic? | AutismSD.com Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The trouble was, I just didnt want to do it. Holdens story communicates an important perspective on idealistic world EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Holden Caulfield is the narrator and main character of The Catcher in the Rye. [170]. So they figured I had a problem and I started taking medicine. Have no time to work on your essay? It was late, but I decided to text Sally. You dont like any schools. I could swear people a block away from our school could hear him wailing so much. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holden-Caulfield, National Public Radio - Holden Caulfield: Giving Voice to Generations. The result is depression and hospitalization. One kid posted a picture of himself that made him look like a goddam model or something. Their dialogue is similar to that which appears in the later chapters of The Catcher in the Rye. (LogOut/ Something went wrong, thoughI dont even remember what any more. In school, he expresses this to his professor saying, That is all I know about the Egyptians. Ultimately, it is up to the reader to decide Holdens sexuality for themselves. The answer to that question is complex. He even has a memory of getting frustrated in class because he kept changing topics during a speech and his classmates kept shouting digression at him. Why did you want to do that?. Holden talks about his siblings and refers to them both as smarter than he is, but we can see that Holden is quite an articulate, observant, and creative boy. "You dont like anything thats happening.". Everyone just started, but no one else went. I care about you deeply, Holden. However, his ability to function in social situations such as parties and other highly social areas [71] contradicts what most people refer to as an Aspie trait, so it cant be AS. This essay is available online and was probably used by another student. Another symptom attributed to depression is a loss of interest in many things, People typically exhibit multiple of the following behaviors and symptoms Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports, (Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)). He also has a very negative view of homosexuals and calls them perverts and queers. You can order a unique, plagiarism-free paper written by a professional writer. Hes sarcastic, nasty, and completely unlikeable. The story is set at the Caulfield summer home on Cape Cod. Joined: 5 Jul 2004Age: 42Gender: FemalePosts: 5,039, Joined: 7 Nov 2006Age: 30Gender: MalePosts: 398Location: Ann Arbor, MI. Privacy Policy This story appears to form the basis for several key scenes in the first several chapters of The Catcher in the Rye. Salinger 's novel, Catcher in the Rye, is an excellent example of a psychologically sensitive portrayal of a child with autism spectrum Teachers and parents! Holden Caulfield is so very dear to my heart. You look ahead and watching her eyes glow beautifully. There can be high functioning on the autism spectrum though. I mean, I just have a Finsta. WebThe character of Holden Caulfield in J.D. In New York City, he calls Sally Hayes, a friend of his, and schedules a date with her. I even tried to break all the windows on the station wagon we had that summer, but my hand was already broken and everything by that time, and I couldnt do it (Salinger 21). What did you just say?. Why do you always post about them then? I asked her. Still trying to answer Phoebes question, Mr. Antolini elaborates on his ideas, telling. That kills me. ", "Like hell it is." Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. No matter how much I text with others or follow their profiles, I just feel lonely. Only if you guys had replied earlier In some literary works, unseen characters influence and move the narrative forward despite otherwise not serving as main characters. WebCite This Essay. WebIhab Hassan, in J. Holden Caulfield Holdens psychological situation and his personality traits seem to branch out and touch a lot of different known psychological disorders. Asperger/HFA people CAN have social conversations, I had thought, because they learn how to say the right things in a somewhat timely manner-almost like actors. Boy did that guy like to hear himself talk. WebI felt that both Holden and Brian were on the spectrum - in modern terms they'd both be classed as autistic, but if we were still using older terminology I'd say that Holden shows He is most famous for his appearance as the lead character and narrator of the 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye. I felt more depressed than sexy, if you want to know the truth. Salinger 's novel, Catcher in the Rye, is an excellent example of a psychologically sensitive portrayal of a child with autism spectrum disorder. What is the climax in The Catcher in the Rye - ENotes God, I love it when a kids nice and polite when you tighten their skate for them or something. was accepted for publication by The New Yorker in October 1941, but was not published then because editors found the tone to be too desolate for its readership. I am not diagnosed with ADHD or Autism but my son is and As a teenager I thought and felt exactly like him and even as an adult I would have to say still do and still am I also told him about Alis glove with the writing on it. The only good thing, I knew she wouldnt let old Phoebe come to my goddam funeral because she was only a little kid. He never made any sense. Holden starts off by telling us that he has been kicked out of another school, Pencey Prep. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Holden Caulfield tells his story with surprising honesty from a hospital in California in a cynical and jaded language. It has been suggested that Salinger himself related so closely to Holden that he was protective of the character. Unlike the similar sequence in the novel, Caulfield is on a Christmas break from school, and, in the story, the interlude with Sally is split into two occurrences. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character Holden Caulfield appears in, It is several months into 1950, and 16-year-old, that he and his date decided to leave the football game early. To be honest he I kind of insane. Holden is self-medicating with alcohol because he doesnt know what else to do, or who else to turn to. When people think something is important to them, they just assume that its so goddam important to everyone else. She would probably be asleep, but I wanted to see her anyway. And all she could talk about was how much those other two girls in the picture were gossiping and being mean to each other. For example, one might argue his chronic depression [141] and his inability to emotionally connect to people fit in with a form of Autism known as Aspergers Syndrome. He also favors certain words, including preceding almost every name he mentions with old and saying goddamn an eyebrow-raising two hundred thirty-seven times. He is constantly learning how people feel vs empathisizing. He is from New York Ive thought Holden is on the spectrum possibly. Bye.. He begins to see the world as unfair, after Allies death. As Mr. Antolini holds forth with his advice. In the meantime, do not be a phony, and stay gold. Also, the event that probably destroyed all faith and trust he had in society and people were when James Castle from Elkton Hills, jumped to his death. See ya, doc, I called out. From his outlook on the world to his actions, and even his past, it is very easy to see that he And I was wonderingwhat psychological "disorder" does Holden (main character) have? o:href="https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-inli"/>. In fact, he seems to be disgusted by the idea of having a relationship with a woman. Some people love the sound of their own voice. WebHolden Caulfield character explanations intentions communication concepts 03 Share This fall I think youre riding forits a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. Holden tends to rephrase things repeatedly and add on signature phrases such as that it did. It made me even more depressed when she said that. Depression is usually masked and Holden is shown to do this. He was consumed with nuns eating dry toast and how this is saintly and how can he reconcile with the rest of us slobs eating regular food--steak and potatoes. Why the hell do you have to say that?" In "The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls", Vincent (D.B.) He probably got in trouble for misbehaving in the past too, when it was really impulsivity and trouble with following instructions. Or they thought their own environment couldnt supply them with. He is the most relatable fictional character I have ever come across. I agree he most definitely is ND. There are many reasons why Holden Caulfield is straight, but the most convincing evidence is that he does not exhibit any of the common signs or symptoms of homosexuality. She was depressing. I never found out what happened to Carl. The name Holden Caulfield was initially used in an unpublished short story written in 1941 and first appeared in print in 1945. Why Holden Caulfield is So Misunderstood - Tales From Absurdia These events are being told by Holden from a hospital bed in California. It is the title that summarizes the book in a few words and in this case, it is The Catcher in the rye. Is Holden Caulfield autistic? No, seriously, I'm reading the Wed have to go downstairs in elevators with suitcases and stuff. Please. 2023 EduBirdie.com. By the end of the novel, however, Holden realizes you cant protect anyone and you shouldnt to begin withyou should let them figure it out for themselves. They didnt get sanctioned as severely as Holden expected. He states, The worst part was, the jerk had one of those very phony, Ivy League voices, one of those very tired, snobby voices. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951, it was an instant success. All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid shed fall off the goddam horse, but I didnt say anything or do anything. Autistic people tend to see rules and lines in places they might not necessarily be. No, seriously, I'm reading the synopsis and his personality comes off as textbook autism. That was the only good part (Salinger 83). Holden Caulfield Why the hell do you say that? All rights reserved mso-wrap-style:square'> Since he ends up in a hospital at the end and consistently has those fainting fits towards the end of the book, I guess that that has something to do with it. Loved his connection with Bills son and thought that might also suggest it. I felt like jumping out the window. I've already wrote and printed out my essay. Especially in English class. One of the reasons we like Holden is that he is so candid about how he feels. Holden Caulfied looks at things in such a negative tone throughout the novel, Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has a very negative view on everything besides his little sister, Phoebe, he loves her and cares so much for her. WebIs Holden Caulfield autistic? Thats where youre wrongthats exactly where youre wrong! Have you ever heard of a hostile attribution bias?. They made me see a therapist for a bunch of years after that. An edited version of this short story later became the basis of several chapters in the middle-late section of The Catcher in the Rye dealing with Caulfield's date with Sally Hayes, during which he confesses his desire to run away with her, meets Carl Luce for drinks, and makes a drunken phone call to the Hayes' home. I mean, you couldnt deny that. After meandering silently through the zoo. I cant seem to get very interested in them although your lectures are very interesting (Salinger 7). "Because you dont," she said. But I didnt feel like it most of the time. I could puke every time I hear it (Salinger 57). By understanding what these clues mean and how they reflect on Holdens character, we can come to a better interpretation of one of literatures most iconic figures. One time that kid was staring out the window for an entire math class and when Mr. Atticus called on him, I swear, that kid started talking about spelling words, like he totally forgot what class we were in. Holden had to cope up with his impulsive acts, erratic and upsetting thoughts and irrationality. In addition, some believe there isn't much a difference between sociopath and psychopath; they are the same disorder expressed differently. Girls, says Caulfield, she was probably getting groiny and everything. If Holden were just autistic, he might have returned home toward the familiar immediately, but as an ADHD-autist, his novelty-seeking brain led him through several new experiences instead. is holden caulfield autistic Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Holden, just home from camp, is waiting on the porch with his suitcases as Vincent comes back with Kenneth's unconscious body. Salinger's first published Holden Caulfield story, "I'm Crazy", appeared in Collier's on December 22, 1945. I think he's definitely on the spectrum! Joined: 12 Nov 2007Age: 65Gender: MalePosts: 7,015. As in the trauma he might have experienced before he was with Trench. I bet none of them watch a single game as soon as they graduate. Green Day wrote a song titled "Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?" Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Holden resents the adult world and resists entry into it, but he has little choice. That's what i suspect too especially over season 2. Throughout the story, Holden perfectly mirrored what it is like to actually be diagnosed with depression in the real world. Experiences like Allie dying and D.B going to Hollywood [164] to become what he hated most (phonies) could have severely impacted and changed Holdens personality early on in his life. "This Sandwich Has No Mayonnaise" (Esquire, 1945) has a mention of Holden missing in action during the war. At one point, Holden begins picturing his funeral, I kept picturing her not knowing what to do with all my suits and athletic equipment and all. That little lake? Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. Tons of girls telling him how hot he looked, like this conceited bastard needed anyone else to tell him how good looking he was. However, it can stem from trauma and other bad experiences from the past, Early childhood trauma can cause depression. Inability to keep attention in one place is a classic ADHD thing, and a skewed idea of importance is something relatable to ADHDers and autists alike, since we actually prioritize things in our heads based on interest. He talks all week about the players he thinks are the best and what he thinks are the biggest problems with the other team each week, but I see him read all of that stuff from a blog. You cant ever find a place thats nice and peaceful, because there isnt any. Synopsis: Some people see him as a whiny proto-emo, some see him as just a stupid teenage boy, and some see him as a misunderstood anti-hero. Below are five reasons why some people think Holden is a homosexual: Dont tell anybody this, I said, but when I was little I sort of wanted to marry my mother and sleep with my father. I could hardly see straight (Salinger 80). WebA brief note about Holdens name: a caul is a membrane that covers the head of a fetus during birth. Holden acts this way to hide his own insecurities. Those suffering from depression often, blame others, push others away, and refuse to help themselves. Holden is my hero. Most kids are. Change). This includes pretending he is interested in different things than he actually is. That was the same day that he told me how much he cared about me. Holden Caulfield, fictional character, the teenaged protagonist and narrator of J.D. The way Holden treats sexuality is reflective of the time period in which the novel was written, when society was just beginning to accept alternative lifestyles. Nobodyd move. He views many things as phony and he doesnt trust many people. It makes me wonder if Holden is bipolar like me in addition to possibly being an ADHD-autist. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. In "The Stranger", published in Collier's December 1, 1945, Babe Gladwaller and his sister Mattie (a proto-type for Phoebe) visit Vincent Caulfield's former girlfriend, now married, to tell her about his death and deliver a poem he wrote about her. Life is change. Throughout the novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. And if she doesnt want to do something, she wont do it. Once home, he is not shown confronting his parents, who, according to the maid, are playing bridge. WebHolden has finally decided that he will avoid adulthood and escape his problems by running away from home and beginning a new life in the wilderness, where he plans on living He gets creeped out by Mr. Antolini stroking his head, but the narration implies that this type of behavior has been a pattern, and that is why Holden knows it is wrong. Among other things, youll find that youre not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. Holden Caulfield - CliffsNotes Gilbert Grape By Peter Hedges - 1240 Words | Internet Public I dont even like to think about it. He doesnt seem to be able to relate to women at all and never asks any questions that would suggest he is interested in them as people. However, if Stradlater had known that his roommate was gay then he might have been more respectful toward him. WebHolden Caulfield was a seemingly unsolvable anomaly. This is because some events impact the way the body reacts to fear and stressful situations (Depression). Very few things keep his interest and it affects multiple aspects of his life. Why School and Holden Caulfield Failed Each Other Interestingly, Holden also struggles with his own authenticity. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The main character of the book is Holden Caulfield, he is also the narrator of the book but he is not very specific about where he is telling this story. And besides, I dont think I could ever do it with somebody that sits in a stupid movie all day long. Thus, the caul in his name may symbolize the blindness of childhood or the Joined: 13 Feb 2008Age: 37Gender: MalePosts: 43. Catcher in the Rye | Asperger's & Autism Community - Wrong Holdens teachers know he is smart, but they assume he does not put in effort because he struggles to initiate tasks and manage his time. But, in my opinion he isn't autistic, just has some personality "disorders". Possible Mental Disorders of Holden Caulfield Holden is a 16 years old teenager living in America. I did know. They also looked like he had worn them for about sixty years. Especially my roommate. Thats probably the only reason why he posted it after all. Feeling terrible for running from Ernies. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. I think you feel sad about your own childhood.. recalls the day his brother Kenneth (Allie) died. Well, what do you think? Holden had a traumatic experience as a child, the loss of his brother, Allie. Like Holden. During this three-day period, Holden makes many bad decisions. Real-world depression patients often have a cynical outlook on life and are untrustworthy to cope with their depression, Cynicism is part of a defensive technique taken as protection (Depression and Cynicism). I don't think Holden has any sort of disorder at all, and I also don't think he is "better" than the people around him. Holden Caulfield would probably have two hemorrhages if he heard someone say this, but its true that even for thoughtful and otherwise independent people it simply feels good sometimes to know youre doing the exact same thing as I didnt want her to get the wrong idea. Salinger himself is a reclose and has never surfaced since the book. What did he need to look more handsome for? I thought he was the typical moody middle-classer that we now call emo. The darkest form of Holdens social disconnect is when he hints that he has been a victim of sexual violence before, which is more likely to happen with autistic kids because of a lack of a sense of danger. https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-inli. Expulsion from Pencey Prep.