How Does Sigmund Freud Relate To The Catcher In The Rye

A young boy loses his even younger brother too early in life. Ensuing is a downward spiral and an attempt to overcome mental illness. Events escalate until he ends up in a mental hospital, where he begins to share his story. Whether he gets better or not, the reader will never know. However, the focus is on the character’s motivations for his actions, not the results of his actions. Within Freud’s idea of a psychoanalytical approach is a focus on defense mechanisms, motivations, and the unconscious mind. Throughout the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden’s seemingly erratic actions can be explained using this psychoanalytical approach. Focusing on the motivation behind a person’s actions, Sigmund Freud developed a psychoanalytical …show more content…
When Holden acts erratically and with little regard to society’s expectations, he is listening to his id. Beginning at Pencey, Holden’s journey takes him from the rigid structure of Pencey Prep, where he even was told to live in “the Ossenburger Memorial Wing of the new dorms” (Salinger 17), to the real world, where he “started to go in this dumpy-looking bar” (Salinger 90). This change from a rigid structure to a place where he had to make all of his own decisions with complete freedom resulted in his id having more influence. When listening to his id he makes a deal with a stranger, who promises to “‘... send a girl up” (Salinger 91) for “‘Five bucks a throw…”’ (Salinger 91). At Pencey, Holden never would have been able to pay a prostitute, however, in the real world, he abuses his freedom and makes immature decisions. He continues to listen to his id when he lies and introduces himself as “‘Jim Steele’” (Salinger 94). However, after he is given time to process his decision, he quickly begins to make excuses and backs out. His realization is him listening to his ego, which is telling him that what he is about to do is not socially acceptable. Holden giving into his impulses and desires demonstrates his id’s influence on him, until his ego corrects his actions. The combined use of the id, ego, and superego in Holden’s character demonstrates the idea of a Freudian

Show More

How Does Sigmund Freud Relate To The Catcher In The Rye

Related Documents: How Does Sigmund Freud Relate To The Catcher In The Rye

Catcher In The Rye Psychoanalysis Essay