Analysis & Existential Biography: Holden's Alienation and Postwar Youth

Apuntes

” From this perspective, his writing can be understood as a form of processing trauma, where personal conflict is transformed into narrative. DIAPO 10 Holden experiences intense emotional turmoil, where conflicting emotions accumulate without resolution. His suppressed grief, particularly related to the loss of his brother, becomes a central trigger of his distress. Throughout the novel, he oscillates between emotional numbness and sudden outbursts, revealing a deep instability marked by loneliness, anger, and confusion. DIAPO 11 Through Erikson’s framework, it becomes clear that Holden is unable to resolve the identity crisis of adolescence. He rejects all predefined roles, yet fails to construct an alternative authentic identity for himself. In this sense, he remains trapped in a prolonged, unsupported, moratorium. However, instead of functioning as a space for exploration, this moratorium becomes a form of avoidance. He does not move forward, but remains suspended between childhood and adulthood, not wanting to commit to the responsibilities of the latter. From a Vygotskian perspective, Holden’s development is limited by the lack of meaningful social interaction and guidance. Al...