Home Categories About
argument top image
What are the themes of The Catcher in the Rye? What are the themes of The Catcher in the Rye?
The Catcher in the Rye is about mental illness The Catcher in the Rye is about mental illness
The Catcher in the Rye is about death The Catcher in the Rye is about death
The Catcher in the Rye is about innocence and childhood The Catcher in the Rye is about innocence and childhood
The Catcher in the Rye is about sexuality The Catcher in the Rye is about sexuality
The Catcher in the Rye is about morality The Catcher in the Rye is about morality
Holden Caulfield is depressed Holden Caulfield is depressed
"Where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over?" "Where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over?"
Allie Caulfield Allie Caulfield
Holden Caulfield's suicidal thoughts Holden Caulfield's suicidal thoughts
Phoebe Caulfield Phoebe Caulfield
Jane Gallagher Jane Gallagher
Holden Caulfield's sexuality is a notable theme in The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield's sexuality is a notable theme in The Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield hires a prostitute Holden Caulfield hires a prostitute
Mr. Antolini Mr. Antolini
Everyone is a phony Everyone is a phony
Debate Mini Map

What are the themes of The Catcher in the Rye?
Back to question

The Catcher in the Rye is about mental illness

(1 of 5) Next position >

Holden Caulfield is depressed

Holden Caulfield displays multiple symptoms of depression.
Books Education Literature Mental Health Reading The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger J. D. Salinger J. D. Salinger
(1 of 2) Next argument >

The Argument

Holden Caulfield goes on a reckless three-day journey through New York City because he is mentally unstable. At the beginning of the novel, he reveals to readers that he is in a psychiatric hospital, where he is narrating the story from. His past traumas and current issues have led him to depression.[1] In the beginning, Holden tells readers about the two deaths he experienced. His younger brother, Allie, died of leukemia three years prior, which greatly impacted him emotionally. Additionally, a classmate of Holden's previous school committed suicide.[2] The entire novel, Holden struggles to come to terms with growing up. He desperately tries to protect people he considers innocent while simultaneously trying to prove to readers how he can act like an adult. Depression sets in as he continuously fails at both.

Counter arguments

Holden Caulfield didn't run away to New York City because he was depressed; he did it because he's irresponsible. After being kicked out of Pencey Prep, he does not have an adult to guide his decisions. He knew that his parents will be angry about him being expelled so he wanted to avoid going home immediately. Holden acts like a typical unsupervised teenager by sneaking into bars, flirting with women, and spending a ton of money. Therefore, he is only being reckless because he has the freedom to.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Holden Caulfield is in a psychiatric hospital. [P2] Experiencing two deaths was traumatizing to Holden Caulfield. [P3] Holden Caulfield cannot protect innocence or behave like an adult. [P4] Therefore, Holden Caulfield has depression.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P4] Holden Caulfield doesn't explicitly say he was diagnosed with depression.

References

  1. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/holden-caulfield-depresse_b_522499
  2. https://trauma.blog.yorku.ca/2019/12/the-catcher-in-the-rye/
This page was last edited on Monday, 26 Oct 2020 at 14:20 UTC

Explore related arguments