is holden caulfield autistic

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 Synopsis: I dont know what she was thinking. She was a very nice, polite little kid. Its full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to be able to buy a goddam Cadillac some day, and you have to keep making believe you give a damn if the football team loses, and all you do is talk about girls and liquor and sex all day, and everybody sticks together in these dirty little goddam cliques.. WebThe character of Holden Caulfield in J.D. Holden Caulfield They didnt get sanctioned as severely as Holden expected. He was a handsome kid and all. What do we make of Holden Caulfield? Fincher and Salinger both utilize numerous strategies so as to feature these difficulties, including setting, the topic of companionship/reliability and imagery. Suicide rates have spiked in recent years and suicide is a huge problem, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US (Suicide Statistics). I mean, I really enjoyed dancing with her even though she kind of looked terrible. I really dont think I could. 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. He is reportedly "killed during one of the landings in the Pacific". Holden Caulfield is one of the most enduring characters in 20th-century American fiction. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then its a game, all rightIll admit that. Salingers Catcher in the Rye. [1] It is possible that Vincent is renamed Curtis, as Seymour was published in 1959, and both Curtis and Vincent are killed in the Pacific during World War II. I got up close so I could hear what he was singing. I decided to take a look at that post on her profile. Holden Caulfield Just About Killed Me Try it sometime, I said. The friend doesnt like the immature conversation they are having, so he decides to leave. My Dad always was sore as hell. Holden Caulfield. Ive thought Holden is on the spectrum possibly. 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. A fantasy Holden has is to run away and live in the forest with Sally, I know this guy down in Greenwich Village that we can borrow his car for a couple of weeks What we could do is, tomorrow morning we could drive up to Massachusetts and Vermont, and all around there, see Well stay in these cabin camps and stuff like that till the dough runs out. When they stop at a red light, Ernie starts caressing the steering wheel lovingly. In addition to social masking, Holden struggles with executive dysfunction, which is what gets him expelled at the beginning of the book. One thing Holden constantly brings up is the ducks in Central Park. By constantly asking him about girls, he makes Holden uncomfortable. Im lonesome as hell. Holden tends to rephrase things repeatedly and add on signature phrases such as that it did. I remember being a teenager and begging my father to read Catcher in the Rye because I didnt know how else to explain what was happening to me. It makes me depressed to think about it. I mean, I just have a Finsta. He states, The worst part was, the jerk had one of those very phony, Ivy League voices, one of those very tired, snobby voices. Often considered a symbol of teen angst, key traits of Holden's include: a feeling of The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. He wants time itself to stop. He is consumed with pointing out hypocrisy and phonies because he sees it and thinks about it. Theres a word I really hate. In David Finchers The Social Network and J. D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye, an account of two youngsters, Holden Caulfield and Mark Zuckerberg face numerous challenges and at last are entirely defenseless spirits. You dont see what I mean at all. He doesnt want anyone to experience his loss of innocence. [citation needed]. I do. Holden Caulfield - CliffsNotes Holdens psychological situation and his personality traits seem to branch out and touch a lot of different known psychological disorders. 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. It focuses on a fight between two characters named Bobby and Stradlater over Bobby's feelings about Jane Gallagher. WebLast Updated: Jan 24, 2023 Article History Table of Contents Holden Caulfield, fictional character, the teenaged protagonist and narrator of J.D. However, there seems to be a wall between Holden and most of the other people he interacts with. WebIf 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 I had to stop taking them every few weeks so it didnt stunt my growth, and there was no difference in how well I listened when I was on them or off them, so my mother stopped giving them to me by the end of that year. She had a horrible face, but she was a great dancer. No kidding (Salinger 80). Thoughts of an autistic woman in the 21st century. Essay Service Examples Literature Holden Caulfield. In "The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls", Vincent (D.B.) However, when looking at all of the data together, it seems more likely that Holden is heterosexual. Press J to jump to the feed. To those whom have read the book, you can see that he has some Aspie traits like social awkwardness. What is the climax in The Catcher in the Rye - ENotes It was the third school I had flunked out of, and my Dad was going to be sore as hell. She didnt answer me. But if you get on the other side, where there arent any hot-shots, then whats a game about it? The result is depression and hospitalization. The fact that he lies about his age specifically might also mean he feels disconnected from his chronological age, which is another ND trait. I seek novelty, but tend to burn myself out pretty quickly when I do. I felt more depressed than sexy, if you want to know the truth. character) might have been the same person, but simply renamed in a later work. He memorizes what to say. Holdens biggest problem with other people is the lack of authenticity he often encounters. 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. 2023 EduBirdie.com. Salinger, Free revision, title page, and bibliography, Get original paper written according to your instructions. That was the only good part (Salinger 83). Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. [170]. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Evaluation Of Holden Caulfield in Catcher In WebHolden Caulfield was a seemingly unsolvable anomaly. But I fee like I relate to him because of my own ASD-related issues. Terms of Use, Holden Caulfield: A Troubled Character With Signs Of Clinical Depression., Holden Caulfield: A Troubled Character With Signs Of Clinical Depression [Internet]. Salinger's various stories (and one novel) featuring a character named Holden Caulfield do not share a cohesive timeline, and details about "Holden Caulfield" and his family are often inconsistent or completely contradictory from one story to another. Is Holden Caulfield autistic? No, seriously, I'm reading the He was suffering the sins of the people and he couldn't move forward. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. They really are. Do you think you are angry now? he asked me. Salingers novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951). I could swear people a block away from our school could hear him wailing so much. 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). This essay is available online and was probably used by another student. Its possible, he does seem to display signs of neurodivergence. By the time my train stopped, I didnt feel like seeing Sally anymore so I decided to just go talk to Pheobe. Returning to the bar after his phone conversation with Sally. On the train back to New York, I checked my Instagram and thought about posting some crap about Pencey, but remembered that my mother and father followed me, and I didnt want them to know I had gotten kicked out. The term was used by the NAZIS to describe ppl inthe spectrum taht were 'useful'. In Seymour: An Introduction a Curtis Caulfield is mentioned in passing as "an exceptionally intelligent and likable boy" who appeared on the same radio show as Seymour and the other Glass children. equinn, Joined: 11 Apr 2008Gender: MalePosts: 117. to paraphrase family guy.. By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Thousands of little kids, and nobodys aroundnobody big, I meanexcept me. But he despises the compromises, loss of innocence, absence of integrity, and loss of authenticity in the grown-up world. He isnt autistic. you ever read "The Catcher in Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye. I felt like jumping out the window (Salinger 57). What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliffI mean if theyre running and they dont look where theyre going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. Several other details match those found in the first chapter of Catcher, including a reference to the mother of one of Caulfield's schoolmates and to his own mother sending him a gift of ice skates, but the story ends with his returning home instead of running away from school. Ive been thinking about it, and he does show some symptoms (special interests he likes talking a lot about, inability to read social cues, and general social unawareness). Holden interacts with homosexuality in a variety of ways and at different points in his life. I do not have this exact diagnosis, but a lot of people close to me do, including Tech, and I have noticed that certain traits line up with Catchers main character and most likely contributed to his trouble with education and generally fitting into the world. Should you have any questions regarding our Many people with depression, dont get professional help. I really am. Holden does the same. He wants this innocence back. Still trying to answer Phoebes question, Mr. Antolini elaborates on his ideas, telling. Salinger, Holden Caulfield Its interesting that this book has been censored in many schools, I suppose people are scared away by all the goddamns. "This Sandwich Has No Mayonnaise" (Esquire, 1945) has a mention of Holden missing in action during the war. Its the 49ers-th time theyve But can you tell me more what you were feeling at that moment, he would always say. I could hear them screaming from three floors up. It's all scripted and fake when he speaks. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. He has the potential to be the first realistic teenage homosexual character in English literature, which would give him a special significance. Ive had quite a few opportunities to lose my virginity and all, but Ive never got around to it yet. I was so hopeful about the therapist subplot because I thought he was finally going to be diagnosed and given help. Struggling with distance learning? But one question that has continued to intrigue readers is whether or not Holden Caulfield, the books main character, is gay. 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. Kenneth decides to go swimming and is knocked out by a wave. mso-wrap-style:square'> Thats important. This is exactly the sort of thing a neurodivergent person who thinks concretely and does not understand social facades would be mad about. is Holden Caulfield Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Holden had a severely bad and difficult time to cope with the untreated grief as well as depression. 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.. In New York City, he calls Sally Hayes, a friend of his, and schedules a date with her. Despite his limited experience, his attitude toward women is actually admirable and mature. 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. Now that I know more about neurodivergence, I feel confident in headcanoning Holden as ND, specifically as an ADHD-autist. They said that I had to learn to follow directions. After Holden drops out of school, his roommate Stradlater brags to him about what a good time he had with Jane Gallagher. Aspergers is a term that is insulting. He decides to head back to New York City, where he is from, but he doesnt go home. 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. I could do what they wanted when it made sense to. recalls the day his brother Kenneth (Allie) died. Holden Caulfield WebHolden Caulfield Character Analysis. They got out of break a little earlier so I could see that she was hanging out at the skating rink with these two other girls. To put it simply, Holden is struggling. Salinger himself is a reclose and Salinger's first published Holden Caulfield story, "I'm Crazy", appeared in Collier's on December 22, 1945. In addition, some believe there isn't much a difference between sociopath and psychopath; they are the same disorder expressed differently. He talks about all children (his brother Allie and his sister Phoebe) as if they are perfection personified, even though it becomes clear Phoebe isn't as nice or innocent as Holden thought her to be. Though it is not clearly stated, it can be inferred from the story that he is in a mental institution. It made me depressed, just thinking about old Mr. Langhorn with those shoes. When he asks, she responds with, Thatd be grand (Salinger 57). I also assumed Brian had autism but as the show progressed I felt his odd behavior was more mental health related. Loved his connection with Bills son and thought that might also suggest it. 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. He is both an antihero, a protagonist with qualities at odds with the stereotypically "heroic" image, and an everyman, whose experiences are to some degree "universal," at least in his respective culture. I thought it was a nice touch that he seemed to absorb or mimic the mannerisms and vocabulary of whoever they interviewed/ or who he spent the most time with at given points. "This is a people shooting hat," I said. There was a hole in the toe on his right foot. It was a lie, of course, but the thing is, I meant it when I said it. Why the hell do you have to say that?" As in the trauma he might have experienced before he was with Trench. In school, he expresses this to his professor saying, That is all I know about the Egyptians. Those suffering from depression tend to avoid admitting that they have a problem, Many people who have depression do not get help (Suicide and Depression). And if she doesnt want to do something, she wont do it. 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. His interactions with the prostitute Sunny are comic as well as touching, partly because they are both adolescents trying to be adults. Holden is acting like a duck in the way he avoids having to deal with his issues. But I dont think you are callous and unemotional. LitCharts Teacher Editions. I hear that youre frustrated. Is Holden Caulfield Gay? - Tips For Efficiency Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# WebHolden Caulfield is a troubled character who shows clear signs of clinical depression. Holden obviously believes that he is more intelligent, more enlightened, or somehow better than all of those around him, but this is not the case. for their second studio album, Kerplunk (1991) after lead singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong read The Catcher in the Rye. The result is depression and hospitalization. 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. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Holden Caulfield In Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger Holden becomes very nervous and tells him, Take it easy with that wheel.. He has grown 6 1/2 inches in just one year. So in order to cope with their emotions, they turn to alcohol and other forms of substance abuse, Among individuals with recurring major depression, roughly 16.5 percent have an alcohol use disorder and 18 percent have a drug use disorder (Substance Abuse and Depression). He both condemns and accepts it at different points, but his feelings are ultimately ones of confusion and discomfort. I told him about breaking the windows in my garage. During this three-day period, Holden makes many bad decisions. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. "Life is a game, boy. These events are being told by Holden from a hospital bed in California. Holden Caulfield is a character close to my heart, and I see him as an example of a teenager with a misunderstood brain that no one knew what to do with. Holden Caulfield, Sarcastic, Nasty, And Completely Unlikeable WebHolden often behaves as if he has been sent onto Earth to point out the wickedness or phoniness of others, but then makes excuses when he behaves [deviant]the same way as the individuals he deems morons. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. I sort of closed one eye, like I was taking aim at it. In the meantime, do not be a phony, and stay gold. Holden wants to keep running away from his problems and never face them. Im pretty yellow. It was really a bunch of garbage, I thought. Its a phony. Why do you think you are frustrated?. This shows a lot about Holdens own mental disorders and the mindset he is perpetuating. He probably does this because the words feel good in his mouth or head or because they are words he has learned to say in certain situations, in other words, scripting. This fall I think youre riding forits a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. Holden acts this way to hide his own insecurities. One of his favorite insults is phony, and he is always going off about other people at his school posturing and protecting their images. Dont say that. Refine any search. God, I love it when a kids nice and polite when you tighten their skate for them or something. It makes me wonder if Holden is bipolar like me in addition to possibly being an ADHD-autist. 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. In some literary works, unseen characters influence and move the narrative forward despite otherwise not serving as main characters. Why School and Holden Caulfield Failed Each Other Some people love the sound of their own voice. Since the book's publication, Holden has become an icon for teenage rebellion and angst, and is considered among the most important characters of 20th-century American literature. WebHolden is a rebel. He decides its best if he stays away from home. This leads to a number of bad decisions that occur over three days. 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. The way the content is organized. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Ill bet I woke up every bastard on the whole floor. It has been suggested that Salinger himself related so closely to Holden that he was protective of the character. Holden later refers to Sally as the queen of all phonies (Salinger 63) and calls her snotty, She was still being snotty on account of her ankles when she was skating (Salinger 70). The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Holden Caulfield tells his story with surprising honesty from a hospital in California in a cynical and jaded language. The problems that Holden and Mark face are distance, selling out and character. I don't remember anything they said about it other than that they claimed he was hallucinating a voice saying "F*** you" or something. I always just assumed everyone deep He then asks. As Mr. Antolini holds forth with his advice. 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. Especially in English class. Expulsion from Pencey Prep. When J.D. She added some heart emojis. I said. One of the reasons why it matters that Holden may be gay is because of his unique sexuality. Holden had a traumatic experience as a child, the loss of his brother, Allie. 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 is a 16 years old teenager living in America. His general health is poor. Tips For Efficiency: Worldly Repository of Knowledge, Reasons Why Holden Caulaulfields Sexuality matters. One time the weather 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. Holden Caulfield: Literatures Biggest Phony I think you need to let yourself get closer to others. He stood as soon as he said that. Chapters 25-26, Next He seems best at the rites of passage (smoking and drinking) that are themselves artificial if not self-destructive. Omissions? It affects the ability to make decisions as it clouds judgment, Another symptom attributed to depression is a diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (Depression Symptoms). Salingers little window into the life of a certain adolescent, is an untapped well, brimming with educational merit beyond what those ignorant institutions are capable of appreciating. 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. "I shoot people in this hat.". Teachers and parents! WebHolden Caulfield (identified as "Holden Morrisey Caulfield" in the story "Slight Rebellion Off Madison" , and "Holden V. Caulfield" in The Catcher In The Rye) is a fictional character in the works of author J. D. Salinger.He's most famous for his appearance as the lead I agree he most definitely is ND. and any corresponding bookmarks? One time in particular, I remember. It might be that Holden feels stupid because things that are difficult for him, such as reading between the lines socially and picking up life skills, are easy for Phoebe and the late Allie.