Holden Caulfield Schizophrenia Analysis
a. Holden does in fact have many unique and grotesque qualities. In fact, Holden has Schizophrenia. Because of this, Holden has trouble expressing his emotions externally, relating with others, and perceiving reality. Throughout the entire novel, Holden interacts with a number of individuals, but these interactions are not sincere, meaningful, or significant. This is due to Holden’s inability to realize, understand, and accept where others are coming from.
b. In the novel, Holden does have one overarching desire and focus. Holden constantly talks about Jane Gallagher, a crush that he has had since his youth hood. The plot of the story is Holden getting kicked out of Pencey School, and on this way back to his hometown of New York, he
constantly tries to come in contact with Jane. As a result, Jane is what Holden clearly states is his goal; however, the reader knows that Holden’s true desire the feeling to feel loved and accepted. Holden has switched a large number of schools since he was a child, and as a result, is not close to many individuals. Undoubtfully, Holden does not have many people skills. On his journey back home, he wants to achieve happiness, the feeling of acceptance, and the feeling of love.
c. Holden does have a very interesting thought pattern and way of expressing himself. Specifically, he refers to everyone as phonies, but the word “goddam” in nearly every paragraph, and he repeats himself multiple times. Part of this can be understood by his medical condition. However, having a medical condition cannot become a scapegoat for all problems that occur. Fact is, Holden does like very many people and cannot trust many of them either. He finds many people to be ostentatious and fake in the way they present themselves. As a result, he calls them phonies.
d. Holden is horrible at handling conflicts that arise. In fact, he avoids nearly conflicts that he comes across. As he tells the reader, this is because he looks at himself a coward and does not have the courage to confront others. Also, this is because Holden has a false and imaginary sense of reality. Instead accepting a situation for what it is, Holden tries to imagine the condition in a different way or he simply internally blames others. This leads to his biggest character flaw: constantly internally blaming others for trouble that he must confront.
b. In the novel, Holden does have one overarching desire and focus. Holden constantly talks about Jane Gallagher, a crush that he has had since his youth hood. The plot of the story is Holden getting kicked out of Pencey School, and on this way back to his hometown of New York, he
constantly tries to come in contact with Jane. As a result, Jane is what Holden clearly states is his goal; however, the reader knows that Holden’s true desire the feeling to feel loved and accepted. Holden has switched a large number of schools since he was a child, and as a result, is not close to many individuals. Undoubtfully, Holden does not have many people skills. On his journey back home, he wants to achieve happiness, the feeling of acceptance, and the feeling of love.
c. Holden does have a very interesting thought pattern and way of expressing himself. Specifically, he refers to everyone as phonies, but the word “goddam” in nearly every paragraph, and he repeats himself multiple times. Part of this can be understood by his medical condition. However, having a medical condition cannot become a scapegoat for all problems that occur. Fact is, Holden does like very many people and cannot trust many of them either. He finds many people to be ostentatious and fake in the way they present themselves. As a result, he calls them phonies.
d. Holden is horrible at handling conflicts that arise. In fact, he avoids nearly conflicts that he comes across. As he tells the reader, this is because he looks at himself a coward and does not have the courage to confront others. Also, this is because Holden has a false and imaginary sense of reality. Instead accepting a situation for what it is, Holden tries to imagine the condition in a different way or he simply internally blames others. This leads to his biggest character flaw: constantly internally blaming others for trouble that he must confront.