Holden's Mental Breakdown In Catcher In The Rye

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Did you know that society plays a big role in mental breakdown?Our society in this day and age pressures majority of people around the age of 13-18. They tend to feel pressured because society was at fault for Holden and Charlie's mental breakdown. They believe that they'll be judged upon or looked at as an outcast. And because fitting in is so important in our generation, it only makes it worse especially when you want to make a good impression. In order to get rid of the feeling they give into the pressure. Society is at fault for Holden's breakdown because of his brothers death. His breakdown is also due to the depressing realization that the world is corrupt and filled with evil. Holden also believes adults are phony from Pencey. As for …show more content…
“He talked to Jesus all the time, even when he was driving his car.”Holden thinks this is a load of crap and said “That killed me. I just seen the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs.” This quote shows that society is at fault for Holden’s breakdown simply because of this “lie” (To Holden) he suffered from communication, because of this, his relationships did not thrive and because of society making the impression, it hinders the ability for him to express his feelings which is where the mental breakdown plays a role. In the book there also were parts where he had lack of communication skills which said “Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.” “ Yes sir. I know it.” Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it's a game, all right-I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game. How this quote shows the lack of communication is because if Holden sat down, and took the time to talk with someone, he wouldn't be struggling with school, and most importantly …show more content…
Charlie being an outcast (alienated) and being bullied is society's fault simply because they isolate people because they believe if you don’t act or look a certain way and do not stick to the statues quote, you're not normal. In the book Charlie also said “Just tell me how to be different in a way that makes sense.” This quote clearly proves that society is at fault for Charlie's breakdown because he’s trying to change himself to get accepted, even though he’s not happy. “High school? Bullshit. The cafeteria is called the Nutrition Center; people wear their letter jackets even when it’s 98 degrees out. And why do they give out letter jackets to marching band? It’s not a sport. We all know it. This quote shows that society is at fault for Charlie’s mental breakdown because on being an outcast (alienated) and bullied because they stick to their little

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