Catcher in the Rye

Like many people, Holden Caulfield suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. “Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs when one or more disturbing events create an overwhelming feeling of helplessness or powerlessness.”1 In Holden’s case, this event in his life was the death of his younger brother Allie. Holden’s relationship with Allie was so great that everyone Holden encounters has to fit Allies’ model. The fact that Allie was only a kid when he died is why …

…General”, Children and Mental Health 14 May 2001 < http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth>. 5. J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, (Toronto: Little, Brown and Company) 111. 6. “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General”, Children and Mental Health 14 May 2001 < http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth>. 7. Ibid. 8. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder”, 1 Jan. 2000, 11 May 20001 <http://wwws.elibrary.com> 9. Salinger 149. 10. “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General”, Children and Mental Health 14 May 2001 < http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth>. 11. Salinger 211.