Caulfield - Causes Why He Became The Way He Is Right Now

Holden Caulfield, in my opinion, falls onto the category of being a disturbed and troubled teen. Being a disturbed teen and a troubled teen means failing classes, expelled from school, being a chronic liar, smokes and drinks, hires a prostitute ,somehow, swears or curses, self absorbed, protective and easily disrupted. After all the sessions I had with him, I had an idea of how he shows these traits and how he became that way. Holden falls in this category, simply since he shows these traits and he became this type of person because of the environment he lives in, also, the type of people who he interacts with, made him this type of person. The fact he stated that everyone around him is fake, makes him feel lonesome and makes him think more than he's supposed to be. The events that had huge impacts in his life defines what he is right now; but with all these traits, he still manages to live up and maintain motivated for the ones he loves. All the traumatic events he had to face, he chooses to not live up with the idea of letting those things go, especially the ones most important to him.

Caulfield - All Set To Conquer Another Chapter of Life

As Holden Caulfield's psychoanalyst, I believe that he's ready for assimilation. In his case, there is nothing to be that serious about, really. His feelings change because the society he lives by changes. And one thing is that, Caulfield doesn't know how to get used to that new type of environment. A person can't be pleased to do something they are not willing to, because in the end, the whole thing is going to crash down and come back to its original state without any of the progress added. 

Holden's breakdown was because of the things that had happened in the past that he obviously couldn't go back into. These events such as, his childhood, Allie's death, Phoebe growing up, D.B. moving to Hollywood, Jane Gallagher's summer vacation with him; these are the significant moments he treasures and hold onto when he's in need of hope. But unfortunately, it is impossible for him to get it back onto. When Holden tries to do these same things again, he then fails and just gets himself mad at himself and  everything else around him; causing possible outbursts and breakdowns.

Events such as Allie's death, Holden can't do anything about it anymore. All he can do is pray for his soul and ask for his guidance. All the sad memories made because of Allie being diagnosed with leukemia shouldn't be remembered as much because it can just make him even more depressed than he is.Another event would be the summer vacation he had with Jane. Jane Gallagher being connected to Stradlater shouldn't even be given any interest of. Holden just needs to learn how to let go of these things and let it go the way they're supposed to be going. Without Jane, Holden can still live happily, especially with his family; they may not be complete but through soul, they are. "If they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them"(pg.211), Holden said about the kids who wants to get the gold ring on a carousel ride. This meant that, let these people try and do their very best, don't coach them, don't try to instruct them; especially if they didn't ask for it. And so if ever they fall, they wouldn't blame you and they would know, themselves, that they did their best.

For what I observe of Holden, he can actually keep up and integrate to the society, he just needs to let go of the past and let the present live. All the worries in him should be putted aside, all the sadness shouldn't over power the better things that he has and the things he will also have. With hope and perseverance, Holden can cope with the situation easily and gain success; using the past as his motivation would also help him to try harder and get better. 

Caulfield's - Motivations in life

I looked back at my old appointments and conversations I had with Holden. The part that I really think was special was to Holden when it was about to rain and he's with Phoebe that time, "Then all of a sudden she gave a kiss. Then what she did, she reached in my coat pocket and took out my red hunting hat and put it on my head" (pg.212). If it was me in the situation, I would have gotten chills too and most of all, feel so special that a little kid, like Phoebe cares  about me being wet under the rain and becoming sick. Holden may have times when he's so down then decides to do certain things and doesn't even look forward for the possible outcomes of it, but when Phoebe or Jane is around, he feels fulfilled. He feels confident about himself knowing somebody supports him and looks forward to his missions.

One time, when Holden and I saw each other in the hallway to my office, he told me about staying for a couple hours at Mr. Antolini's house after visiting Phoebe during the night. "Mr. Antolini was very nice. He said I could come right over if I wanted to. The first thing he asked me was if anything was wrong, and I said no"(pg.174). Holden told me that he felt important, in a way. Mr. Antolini and Holden talked and catched up with each other. "So you and Pencey are no longer one," Mr. Antolini said to him. Holden admitted, "Sometimes, it amused me a lot and sometimes it didn't. He sort of did a little bit too much... D.B. does it too much sometimes, too" (pg. 182). Holden felt degraded and felt like he was insulted. There are certain times these people can hurt someone's feelings without knowing it. For instance, Mr. Antolini is a close friend of Holden, he may joke around Holden if he wishes, but of course, he also needs to stop and know his boundaries. But sometimes, it's just that Holden isn't in the mood to joke around, too.

Sadly, his experience didn't went so well in Mr. Antolini's house, he woke up all of a sudden feeling Mr. Antolini's hand petting him on the head, which made him leave. He felt weird, he was asking me too, if that's normal for a person to do that and I told him how in situations, certain things can happen and sometimes it can be normal but in some cases, not. He also said that, "I mean I wondered if just maybe I was wrong about thinking he was making a flitty pass at me"(pg.194). He somehow felt bad, but his decision seemed right; he wouldn't be able to sleep in there anyways, since it will just bug his mind about what has happened in there. "I wondered what he'd told Mrs. Antolini when she saw I hadn't slept there or anything" (pg.194). Holden didn't want to make people feel bad. He's still actually concerned about them, but technically, it isn't his fault why he left. Holden has control of his actions; but he didn't meant to disappoint Mrs. Antolini if she ever finds out he left because of what happened. Holden is more than aware of everything he is responsible for and all the things values of these thing that plays as a very significant part of himself. Just a little consideration and care from others, Holden would be so much grateful to live everyday possible.

Caulfield - Reminiscing the Past

The past could be full of the greatest memories an individual would reminisce through the years and sometimes, it appears to be the opposite. In my opinion, the past is one of the greatest ways to motivate oneself to improve to be a much more better person. Mistakes are made and therefore, couldn't be fixed that same time, but there is always another chance for everyone to make those up. Past experiences depends on each and every individual. For Holden, I assume he definitely still values and remembers every single moment that he and Jane shared with each other. And probably the times he spent with his family; his childhood with them.

"How's Phoebe doing?" I asked Holden. "She's doing great, she's growing up so fast. Glad she's enjoying her childhood life; that's the best part," Holden said. That's the thing about life, it may seem really slow and boring at times, but when you just go with the flow and let things go their way, you don't know how much time you have wasted and actions you should have done before its too late. "That's alright, we all have to get old and mature at some point," with an exchange of smile. "True," he nodded.

"How's the rest of your family? Would you mind talking about them? I haven't heard about them yet," I said. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Reyes. I don't live with them and so I don't have that much issues or confessions about them lately, but I have two brothers and a sister," Holden said. "Oh, it's fine, Holden. I was just wondering." I then asked him about his brothers. "Allie and D.B., are my brothers. Allie-"He's dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946"(pg.38). I was surprised, "I'm sorry about that, Holden. If you wish, you can stop-" "Oh no, it's fine and thanks." He paused for a couple moments. "And D.B. "...he's my brother and all. He's in Hollywood. That isn't too far from this crumby place and he comes over and visits me practically every weekend. He's going to drive me home when I go home next month maybe." (pg.1). It's nice to know how the connection of him and his sibling are still intact into him. And the feeling of excitement and joy Holden feels when he gets to see D.B. But what I am afraid to ask about is his brother who passed away; for some people it's really a huge deal about them to talk about their loved ones who had left, but i'll give it a try for Holden. I'm his psychoanalyst, who just wants to help him.

"Would you mind if-" "If we talk about Allie? No, I said it's fine. It's normal but if you want to know the truth, I sometimes feel lonely and all," he said. "Oh, i'm sorry. I didn't mean to, but i'm just here to help; anytime of the day to listen to your stories and confessions," I felt bad, in a way. Holden started talking again, "... I wrote about my brother Allie's baseball mitt. It was very a descriptive subject. It really was. My brother Allie had this left handed fielder's mitt. He was left handed. The thing that was descriptive about it, though, was that he had poems written all over the fingers and the pocket and everywhere. In green ink. He wrote them on it so that he'd have something to read when he was in the field and nobody was up at bat" (pg.38). Holden wrote about him probably because he misses him a lot. Time can heal things, but it can never bring back the old times exactly. "And remember at that one time when I told you I brought old Phoebe to the zoo? "When she was a very tiny little kid, Allie and D.B. and I used to go to the park with her, she was mad about the carousel. You couldn't get here off the goddam thing" (pg.210).

Holden and his siblings were actually connected and in touch with each other when they were little. Earlier, I remember him saying that childhood was the best part. And now, I have a clue why and how his childhood was the best part, according to him. And also, to think that D.B. now lives in Hollywood, Allie is gone, Phoebe is with their parents; enjoying her childhood while Holden lives in his dorm or someplace else is definitely opposite than what they were years ago. These events that happened in his life may also be a huge impact into what he is today, what he does and all his decisions. You can't blame Holden for feeling what he is, at the moment but everything starts with something and ends up the way it is right now.

Caulfield's - Reasons behind his smile

Caulfield smelled like he just finished smoking before he went into my room; the smell of cigarettes in him was really strong. On our appointment today, I plan to talk about his friends and all the people who has a positive impact in his life. I hope he'd be open and actually be glad to talk about these individuals. According to what I remember, Jane Gallagher seems to be one of the significant people in his life. She had a big impact on him as well.

"Hi, Holden, how are you doing?" I greeted him. "I'm doing just fine, Ms. Reyes," he said. I don't know if it's fine if we'd talk about these people. So, what I thought to do is maybe I can ask him what did he do earlier the day since it's already in the afternoon. "What did you do today, Holden? Anything fun?" "Nothing really. Last night, I actually went to my parents' house and visited my little sister, Phoebe," Holden said. "I missed her."

It was a really great start to talk about his little sister, Phoebe. Holden starts to talk about her, "I swear to God you'd like her. She was smart even when she was a very tiny little kid. When she was a very tiny little kid, I and Allie used to take her to the park with us, especially on Sundays" (pg. 68). "How adorable. How old is she now? Does she go to school yet?" I asked, to get the conversation going. "She's ten now,  and not such a tiny little id any more, but she still kills everybody - everybody with any sense, anyway" (pg.68). Holden loves to talk about Phoebe, I can sense. He also talked about how one time, he took Phoebe to the zoo and when the rain was about to pour, "Then what she did-it damn near killed me- she reached in my coat pocket and took out my red hunting hat and put it on my head" (pg. 212). Holden felt the love and protection Phoebe shows and he admires her for that. The feeling of love coming from other people unexpectedly is just the best feeling. I can say Phoebe is one of the most important people in his life; the reason why he still wants to live, for her not to be alone. His parents might be a part of it, too. But he doesn't really talk about them that much, so I wouldn't want to bring them up; it might change his mood.

Caulfield's and the Phonies

Caulfield's appointment was earlier this morning. He didn't seem to be in the mood to talk, well, he just stood there and spoke a little less than what he used to. And so, I asked him, "How are you today, young man?" Caulfield said, "Um... I don't know. I'm not feeling good, to be honest." And so this gave me an idea that I should ask him about who are the people behind it, which would also help him to express every hatred he has in himself because of those individuals.

I asked him, "Would you mind if we talk about who's behind your anger?" And he said, "No, I would also want someone to talk to and withdraw all the hate I feel for these type of people." We then immediately started talking about this and all he was talking about were his fellow room mate.

Caulfield seemed really annoyed and sometimes, he'd just go and have a deep sigh. A guy's name was mentioned; Stradlater. Holden then goes introduces me to him. "Stradlater was more of a single slob. He always looked all right, Stradlater, but for instance, you should've seen the razor he shaved himself with... He always looked good when he was finished fixing himself up..." (pg. 27). Stradlater seems like he is a kind of guy that you wouldn't be so annoyed about, in my opinion, whiel according to Holden, "...but he was a secret slob anyway, if you knew him the way I did" (pg.27).

Holden got pretty serious when he was talking about how Stradlater got on his nerves. Holden asked me, "Remember old Jane Gallagher? The girl I spent my summer with?" "I do, actually, what about her?" I replied. "He happened to be Stradlater's date." I sensed the jealousy he was feeling. It was really hard to think of a way I could get the conversation to stop, but he seemed to really have someone to help him cope about the situation, so I just went and let him talk. "Did you give him my regards?" I asked Stradlater. "Yeah," he said. The hell he did, the bastard" (pg.42). "I would ask him what happened to his date with Jane, but he won't even tell a thing," Holden said. "That's the way you can always tell a moron. They never want to discuss anything intelligent" (pg.45). Jane is one of the most important people in Holden's life. And he gets pretty mad when she seems to be near harm or anything; especially Stradlater.

Holden knows what he's actually talking about, unlike the other patients I've had where they would talk about something and jump into another topic without me knowing how they connect. Caulfield seemed to be a very intelligent person, but he just doesn't know he is, and he isn't aware how he could try to do something. He may flunk in school, but in everyday wise, he seems to be really great; considering he may sometimes be such a really self centered person. With all these stress he's been going through can definitely result him to just do what he loves to; like smoking, just to calm himself up in the situation, or maybe separate himself out of the crowd to lessen the risk of him gaining more problems and stress.

Caulfield, Holden - Confessions

I checked in at the clinic before 9:00 in the morning, noticing a new patient waiting for me in front of my office; wearing a red hat. At first, I couldn't remember who it was until I glanced at him once more and recognized that it was Caulfield! As soon as I got my desk prepared, I called Caulfield right away. "Good morning, Caulfield! How are you doing?" I said. "Good, you?" he replied. "Great!" I smiled.

Second meet ups with my patients always call for some personal and private confessions in their life.As I explained to Caulfield about what this appointment is going to be like, he kindly approached me first with a very kind voice by expressing everything that he has in mind. I was very glad he wasn't like my typical patients that are too shy to talk about their lives.

He confessed about his friend and this one girl he likes who has been seeing each other lately. He sounded jealous since he isn't able to talk to this girl named Jane. Jane Gallegher was the girl he spent the last summer playing tennis and checkers with and golf, too. Caulfield was really positive as he describes his moments with her and Jane herself. I can even remember him saying, "I got old Jane Gallegher on the brain again, I got her on, and I couldn't get her off" (pg. 76). It was really nice seeing a patient that cheerful when talking about their life.

A moment of silence came after he finished talking about Jane. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Nothing... I just remembered my family." Caulfield said. I got curious and so I asked him how was his family doing. His tone changed from being so cheerful to the opposite. He mentioned his brother, Allie. Allie is a left handed baseball player who has poems all over his hand written in green ink. It sounded interesting to me and so I asked him, "Why? What for?" And he said, "He wrote them on it so that he'd have something to read when he was in the field and nobody was up at bat" (pg. 38). But then I found out that Allie died from Leukemia. Caulfield also compared himself to Allie who is a really intelligent person, fifty times more intelligent than he is, according to him. I didn't want Caulfield to feel more depressed and begin underestimating his abilities in other fields in life, so then I just changed the topic and asked about his school and his friends.

From what I can sense, Caulfield isn't really interested talking about his friends in the dorm. He just talks about how he's always alone in the dorm in the weekends where others are out to visit their families or out to have some fun or either asleep.He also stated that one time, he felt really sad and alone, not hearing any noise from the corridor, noises from other rooms through the walls or anything, which may also be the cause of his complication pertaining to the lack of communication in his environment and other concerns.