Catcher in the Rye Project
Holden Caulfield’s Psychological Analysis
Directions: Create a “file” on Holden as if you were a psychologist. Include the various types of
documentation described below.
Appearance:
-Letter-sized manila folder (not legal sized)
-Several documents inside that have been developed from your research and literary analysis.
This may include quotations you found relevant, reflective journals, quizzes, etc.
-Label has Holden’s name on it; front of the folder has your name, period,
date
-A Table of contents will be added at the end. It will include 1) your summaries on two different
disorders, 2) behavioral/verbal/symbolic notes, and 3) journals/assignments.
Specific Documentation:
1. Table of Contents (Typed)
2. Report Notes (in three sections): Use the format provided for your
psychological documentation report. It must include the patient’s name,
age, and description. Subheadings for the report should include:
Behavioral Notes, Verbal Notes, and Symbolic Notes. Page numbers
should be included after each note.
3. Research on Psychological Disorders (2 different ones).
4. Final Analysis Report on Holden Caulfield (two-page essay - Typed)
Specific Instructions:
*Report Notes and Research writings will be completed during the reading process. The essay
will be completed after.
1. Report Notes – Include at least 10 Behavioral Notes, 10 Verbal Notes,
and 3-5 Symbolic Notes with page citations. These will all be from the
novel, and should include both direct quotes and paraphrased examples. Each should be followed
by a brief note on its significance. This will be used with your essay.
2. Research – You will complete research on at least two of the disorders using the
link provided:: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/ or any other
medium of your choice. This will be started in the computer lab together, as a class. You will
type two separate reports on the two disorders from which you believe Holden suffers. You will
use review and apply all effective research writing skills and requirements, such as the following:
avoiding plagiarism and all that entails; integrating direct quotes grammatically; correct internal
citation; correct works citation at end, etc. Format and detailed instructions will follow.
3. Essay – This is a final two-three page analysis on why Holden (the patient) seems to be
adjusting poorly and withdrawing from social interaction. Essentially, your job is to determine
what is wrong with Holden, or, in other words, from which illness might he be suffering. You
will use your behavioral, verbal, and symbolic notes to back up your thesis (diagnosis).
Catcher in the Rye Project
Behavioral Notes
Pg. #s
1.___________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
2. __________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
3.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
4.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
5.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
6.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
7. .__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
8.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
9.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
10.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
Verbal Notes
Pg. #s
Catcher in the Rye Project
1.___________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
2. __________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
3.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
4.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
5.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
6.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
7. .__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
8.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
9.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
10.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
Symbolic Notes-Any item, reference, or idea that may further the understanding of
Holden’s character and problem.
Catcher in the Rye Project
1.___________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
2. __________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
3.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
4.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
5.__________________________________________________________(Salinger #)
FINAL ANALYSIS ESSAY
With what would you diagnose Holden Caulfield, and how does his behavior and
dialogue (internal and external) support this claim? Using your behavioral and verbal
notes as support and a possible organizational guideline, analyze Holden Caulfield in
terms of how his actions and words/thoughts mesh with specific symptoms and
characteristics of the mental illness of your own choosing. In this 2-3 page paper, I am
looking for a solid introduction, multiple bodies (how many is up to you), and a
Catcher in the Rye Project
conclusion. Like any paper you get this year or in the future, how you organize your
body will be up to you, but you should have strong topic sentences, multiple examples,
and thorough analysis/explanation of those examples. However, I will provide you with
a couple organizational outline options for help.
*You could organize your body sections, which could be broken into their own
paragraphs, by his behavior and verbal examples, or..
*You could organize your paper according to dominant symptoms for which you can find
multiple examples.
*Essentially, you can organize your paper however you desire, but what I want on your
full sentence typed outline due Wed. is the following:
1) A thesis that makes one statement of analysis(diagnosis) and previews your
larger categories of support.
2) Topic sentences that reiterate thesis statement (diagnosis) and
preview the category of support
3) All the examples you will need for each paragraph. I want to see at least six
examples, three of which are direct quotes, and page numbers for each. You may need
more to make your paper effective, however, depending on your organization
Intro.
Section 1-Behavior
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
*Remember, you might want to break these into paragraphs of their own if you
have a lot of the same symptom
Section 2 Verbal
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
Symptom _______ Example:_______________________________(
)
*Remember, you might want to break these into paragraphs of their own if you
have a lot of the same symptom
Conclusion
Or…
*Remember, you can have as many paragraphs as you need. This is not necessarily a
five-paragraph essay.
Intro.
Section 1-Symptom 1-_____________________
Example:_______________________________(
Example:_______________________________(
)
)
Catcher in the Rye Project
Example:_______________________________(
)
Section 2-Symptom 2______________________
Example:_______________________________(
Example:_______________________________(
Example:_______________________________(
)
)
)
Section 3-Symptom 3_______________________
Example:_______________________________(
Example:_______________________________(
Example:_______________________________(
)
)
)
Conclusion
Model Outline-Don’t steal my words!!
Joe Student
Mrs. Harris
English 11
Catcher in the Rye Project
1 March 2011
Catcher in the Rye Outline
Thesis: Because Holden Caulfield repeatedly displays the symptoms of irritability and
anger, persistent sad or negative moods, and thoughts of suicide and death, it is evident
that he suffers from a classic case of depression
Topic Sentence 1 -Within the behavior and thoughts of Holden Caulfield is a chronic
anger that manifests not only in his thoughts but in violent actions as well, which support
a diagnosis of depression.
Example 1 He attacks Stradlater without being provoked (45-46 )
Example 2 ______________________________________________
Example 3 ______________________________________________
Topic Sentence 2-Further supporting a depression diagnosis is a perpetual sadness and
negativitydisplayed by Holden that includes anxiety and obsession.
Example 1 “It makes me so depressed I go crazy” (14).
Example 2 ______________________________________________
Example 3 ______________________________________________
Topic Sentence 3-Solidifying a diagnosis of major depression are Holden’s thoughts of
death and suicide.
Example 1 “I was feelin sort of lousy depressed and all. I almost wished I was
Dead” (90).
Example 2 ______________________________________________
Example 3 ______________________________________________
SUGGESTED SYMPTOMS:
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Insomnia
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day
Catcher in the Rye Project
Restlessness
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
irritability, anger, or drug and alcohol abuse. Repressing their feelings can result in
violent behavior directed both inwardly and outwardly. It
Bi-Polar
Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down"
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including
sex
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches,
digestive disorders, and chronic pain
Persistently sad, anxious, or "empty" moods
Restlessness, irritability
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Mania
Disconnected and racing thoughts
Grandiose notions
Inappropriate elation
Inappropriate irritability
Inappropriate social behavior
Increased sexual desire
Increased talking speed and/or volume
Markedly increased energy
Poor judgment
Severe insomnia