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The Psychological Approaches in "The Catcher in the Rye"

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The Psychological Approaches in "The Catcher in the Rye"

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By: Tyler O'Brien

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The Psychological/Freudian approach examines the symbols, characters, and author from the perspective of classical psychology—seeking to understand the hidden meanings and motivations of a work. This method of examining a work often focuses on the deeper significance of dreams and symbols and the psychological issues of the author or the characters.

Questions to ask while taking a Psychological Approach to a text:

What do you infer about the character from his or her thoughts, actions, and speech?

What discrepancies exist between the author’s portrayal of the character and how other

characters react to him or her?

How does the character view him or herself?

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“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” - The Dream Academy

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“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” - The Dream Academy

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"Haven't had a dream in a long time"

The mention of a lack of dreams can evoke a sense of disillusionment, similar to Holden's disillusionment with the adult world and his struggle to find purpose and connection.

"So for once in my life, let me get what I want"

The plea in these lines captures the essence of longing and the yearning for something meaningful or fulfilling, echoing Holden Caulfield's search for authenticity in a world he perceives as phony.

"Please, please, please let me get what I want this time"

The repetition of "please" emphasizes the earnest desire for a specific outcome, paralleling the way Holden wishes for a world that aligns with his ideals and values.

These lyrics collectively express a sentiment of yearning, vulnerability, and a

plea for a more genuine and fulfilling experience, aligning them with the themes

explored in "The Catcher in the Rye." Both the song and the novel delve into the

emotional struggles of the protagonists as they navigate a world that often feels

alienating and inauthentic.

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"Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry"

The opening line reflects a desire for reconciliation and a recognition of past mistakes. Similarly, Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye" grapples with feelings of regret and often contemplates his actions and their consequences.

"Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard"

These lines acknowledge the challenges and difficulties in life. In "The Catcher in the Rye," Holden faces the hardships of growing up, grappling with the complexities of adulthood, and the loss of innocence.

"Tell me you love me, come back and haunt me"

These lines express a desire for love and a sense of haunting regret. Similarly, Holden longs for genuine connections and grapples with the haunting memories of his brother Allie's death.

While "The Scientist" may not directly parallel the narrative of "The Catcher in the Rye," the themes of introspection, regret, and the search for meaning in relationships resonate with Holden Caulfield's journey. Both works explore the complexities of human emotions and the challenges of navigating a world that can be both beautiful and painful.

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"They're saying, 'Stay down and do as you're told'"

This lyric reflects a theme of authority and societal expectations. From a psychological perspective, it connects to Holden's resistance to conforming to societal norms and his rebellion against authority figures who dictate what he should do and how he should behave.

"The adults are talking / The adults are talking / The adults are talking / The adults are talking"

The repetition of "The adults are talking" may suggest a struggle for communication or understanding between adults, reminiscent of the themes of miscommunication and alienation explored by Holden Caulfield in his interactions with the adult world.

"I don't want anything from you / And I'm not a salesman"

These lines express a desire for authenticity and independence, reflecting a psychological need for self-discovery and a rejection of societal roles and expectations. Holden Caulfield's journey in "The Catcher in the Rye" is marked by his search for authenticity and a rejection of the superficiality he perceives in the adult world.

In connecting these lyrics to a psychological approach, we can explore themes of identity, communication, and resistance to societal expectations; elements that align with the psychological struggles and development of Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye." The song touches on the challenges of communication and the tension between authenticity and societal expectations, which are themes that resonate with Holden Caulfield's journey.

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"Time may change me, but I can't trace time"

This lyric speaks to the inevitability of change and the difficulty of understanding or predicting its course. In a psychological context, it reflects the challenges of self-discovery and the unpredictable nature of personal development, mirroring Holden's struggle to comprehend and navigate the changes in his own identity.

"I watch the ripples change their size / But never leave the stream"

This imagery of ripples changing size but remaining in the stream can be seen as a metaphor for the ongoing and interconnected nature of personal transformation. From a psychological perspective, it echoes the idea that internal changes occur within the context of one's life experiences, much like Holden's internal struggles occurring within the broader context of his journey.

"So I turned myself to face me"

This line suggests a deliberate effort to introspect and confront one's own identity. In the context of "The Catcher in the Rye," it aligns with Holden's moments of self-reflection as he grapples with who he is and who he wants to become.

"Changes" by David Bowie is a song that explores themes of personal transformation and the evolving nature of identity. While the lyrics do not explicitly connect to "The Catcher in the Rye," we can draw parallels with certain psychological aspects related to self-discovery and the challenges of navigating a changing world, much like Holden Caulfield's experiences.

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"Now I know I've got to run away, I've got to get away"

These lyrics can be connected to Holden's desire to escape from the complexities and phoniness of the adult world. The urgency to "run away" may reflect Holden's inner turmoil and his quest for a space where he can preserve genuine emotions and values.

"The love we share seems to go nowhere"

This line may resonate with Holden's experiences of unfulfilled or superficial relationships. Throughout the novel, Holden seeks genuine connections but often encounters shallow interactions, contributing to his sense of alienation.

“Don't touch me, please, I cannot stand the way you tease"

The plea for not being touched and the aversion to teasing may align with Holden's sensitivity and protectiveness of innocence. He is particularly attuned to preserving the purity of childhood and often reacts strongly to anything he perceives as corrupt or insincere.

While "Tainted Love" deals with the toxicity of a romantic relationship, the emotional themes of yearning, disillusionment, and the desire for genuine connection can be connected to Holden Caulfield's experiences in "The Catcher in the Rye." Both the song and the novel explore the impact of love and emotions on the protagonist's psyche and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in relationships.

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“What Is Psychological Criticism in Literature.” Pediaa.Com, 15 Nov. 2016, pediaa.com/what-is-psychological-criticism-in-literature/.

Eward-Mangione, Angela. “Psychological Criticism.” Writing Commons, 7 Nov. 2020, writingcommons.org/section/research/research-methods/textual-methods/literary-criticism/psychological-criticism/.