Final answer:
In 'The Catcher in the Rye,' Holden's need for psychological help is evident through his denial, alienation, erratic behavior, obsession with innocence, and signs of depression or schizophrenia, which mirror a psychoanalytic reading of literary characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield exhibits several behaviors that suggest a need for psychological help. One example is his constant state of denial and alienation, demonstrated by his repeated lying and his idealization of childhood as a pure state. Holden's fear of intimacy and adulthood leads him to sabotage his relationships and experience overwhelming anxiety and depression. Another example is his obsession with the protection of innocence; he fantasizes about being the 'catcher in the rye,' saving children from losing their innocence, indicating a flawed coping mechanism for dealing with his own trauma. Lastly, Holden's erratic decisions, such as impulsively inviting Sally to run away with him, followed by an aggressive outburst towards her, reveal underlying instability potentially worthy of clinical attention—with signs pointing towards conditions like depression or even schizophrenia.
These insights offer a glimpse into the psychoanalytic focus on literary characters, a method used effectively by critics like Frederick Crews. It is also reminiscent of the duality of man, questioning whether all individuals have a darker side that can emerge under stress, and how experiences of youth depression are portrayed in literature.