Not everyone works to their full potential, in fact they manage to achieve lower results. An underachiever is “a person whose performance is significantly lower than expected by educators” (Griffin). Through the psychoanalytic lens, the protagonist of JD Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caufield. The psychoanalytic lens is a way to look at the subconscious mind through actions, emotions, beliefs, habits, and symptoms. In the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, showed signs of underachievement that stem from the loss of his brother, competition with his siblings, and his survivors' guilt viewed through the psychoanalytic lens. Holden Caufield, the protagonist of this novel demonstrates numerous examples of underachievement. The Journal of School Psychology states that “a student may also be considered underperforming based on educators' assessment of his or her learning potential in relation to the quality of the work he or she does on classroom assignments” (Griffin). Holden proves this exactly. At the beginning of the novel Catcher in the Rye, Holden goes to his history teacher's house. During his meeting with his teacher, Mr. Spencer, they discuss Holden's final assignment. While examining Holden's document, which is only one paragraph, Mr. Spencer reads the comment Holden wrote at the bottom of the page; “Dear Mr. Spencer. This is all I know about the Egyptians. I can't get much interest, even though your lectures are very interesting” (Salinger 12). The paragraph that Holden had written was an intellectually written paragraph. Holden has the potential to be a great student but, as the comment he left on his paper shows, he's not cherubs... middle of the paper... and Allie wouldn't be mad. Also, Holden needs someone to talk to, like a therapist. Holden went through many difficult times and never had the chance to let out all his feelings that would calm him down and make him feel more at ease. If Holden follows these measures it will mitigate and potentially cease its underperformance. Holden Caufield is the consummate underachiever in the novel Catcher in the Rye. Throughout the novel there are numerous examples of Holden's underachievement. Through the psychoanalytic lens his poor outcomes can be attributed to the loss of his beloved brother Allie, the competition between his siblings, and survivor's guilt. Holden will have to think about Allie's wishes, realize that Allie wouldn't be angry, and let all his feelings out through a therapist to help him deal with his underachievement problem..