Depression in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

Published in 1951 by the reclusive author J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye quickly became a staple of school reading lists nationwide because of its raw and honest portrayal of teenage angst and depression. Salinger's protagonist, Holden Caulfield, struggles to assert himself in a world he perceives as unsympathetic and phony while also attempting to navigate the strange, new contours of life in high school. This compelling edition engages readers with a frank discussion of Salinger's early life and influences and examines themes of depression presented in the book through a collection of twelve related essays. The book also expands upon contemporary issues related to depression, such as the impact of school transitions, the difficulty of diagnosing depression in adolescents, and the role of communication in preventing or diagnosing depression.