A Neo-psychoanalytic Study Of Holden's Anxiety In The Catcher In The Rye

Jerome David Salinger,a very crucial writer in contemporary American literature,has received much concerns of academics.His famous novel The Catcher in the Catcher has always been the focus of western critics.In recent years,the domestic academics have paid more and more attention to his status and influence as a postwar American writer.The studies about this novel are various and colorful abroad,mainly from perspectives of the theme,society and politics and feminism.Psychoanalysis is also a common literary critical method,but few scholars have specifically made researches from perspective of neo-psychoanalysis.Compared to studies abroad,domestic researches are rare.The neo-psychoanalysis inherits and innovates the classical psychoanalysis.Based on the classical psychoanalysis,neo-psychoanalysis continues some concepts and points,such as "subconscious",the syllogism of personality structure and emphasis on early experience.Nevertheless,neo-psychoanalysis pays more attention to the influence of social and cultural factors on personality,weakening Freud's theory of pan-sexual ism.For example,Adler proposed "inferiority complex and compensation" as the motive force of personality.Neo-psychoanalysis emphasizes the independence and autonomy of the ego,rather than the attachment to the self.Neo-psychoanalysis also gives more positive characteristics of human nature and holds that people are good by nature.In addition,the neo-psychoanalysts does not regard early childhood experience as the decisive factor on personality and thinks that the personality develops continuously.Based on the theory of neo-psychoanalysis,this thesis intends to make a tentative analysis of Holden's anxiety.By analyzing the protagonist's perplexity and anxiety during his transition period between childhood and manhood with the adoption of Horney's neo-psychoanalysis theory,the paper purports to argue that whether Holden's wandering in the New York City or returning home at the end of the novel reflects the protagonist's inner conflicts and contradictions.These conflicts are the consequences of basic anxiety psychologically.Secondly,Horney believes that the existing social and cultural factors are the bases of the inner conflicts.Thirdly,in relieving basic anxiety,he subconsciously forms driving force which is also called psychological needs.Different needs develop into different character trends which become part of his personality.Horney classifies them as the compliant type,the aggressive type and the withdrawing type.Through a careful analysis based on this category and the text,the author holds that love and home are the best ways to relieving Holden's anxiety.On one hand,the thesis provides a new perspective to interpret the novel;On the other hand,it breaks the boundaries of traditional psychoanalysis and provides a new theory and idea for scholars in interpreting literary works.At the same time,it also points out a new direction for Chinese writers in the creation of literary works.