Holden Caulfield Phony Analysis
Sixteen year old Holden Caulfield is the narrator and the main character of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden constantly encounters people who strike him as “phony,” a word he applies to anything that is unauthentic or otherwise fake. Throughout this Holden reveals to us that he hates phonies, while still calling himself a “terrific liar”. Throughout the book Holden constantly expresses his hatred for “phonies.” Holden labels anyone who isn’t genuine a phony. This trend of dishonesty is most evident with Holden’s classmates from Pencey Prep, who Holden repeatedly classified as “phonies.” One student from Pencey, who Holden finds to be a phony, is Ackley. Holden is aware of the fact that Ackley is always lying. Holden tells us that Ackley lies especially about his sexual life and Holden definitely knows this, therefore exemplifying Ackley’s phoniness. Stradlater, Holden 's roommate at Pencey Prep, qualifies as another person who Holden considers to be a phony. He is often described as this handsome and well groomed guy, but Holden often acknowledges that he is a “secret slob”. Holden continues to provide details that Stradlater appears well groomed, but his toiletries, such as his razor, are disgustingly unclean. Holden’s continuous hatred for phonies eventually leads him into the feeling of loneliness, which shows his value honesty. Holden’s strong value for honesty, along with his deep hatred for phonies later results in him entering a state of loneliness.
Holden Caulfield Phony
845 Words | 4 PagesShe probably knew what a phony slob he was" (2). He doesn't like people lying for other people, he expects everyone to realize when someone is being phony and call them out on it. Another reason Holden hates phony people is because he believes that you shouldn't be doing things just to look good but you should be doing them with a purpose. This is true, you should live with a purpose, and not just live to achieve personal gain Holden likes to strike out at these people calling them names that aren't nice to say the least. Lastly Holden believes that you become phony when you grow up, when the world corrupts you and you become conforming to everything around you.
Catcher In The Rye Lying Quotes
901 Words | 4 PagesHolden also finds flaws in his roommate, Stradlater. Although Holden admits that Stradlater was seen as "a Year Book kind of handsome guy," Holden still emphasizes how much of a "secret slob" he is. He talks about the razor Stradlater uses as "rusty as hell and full of lather and hairs and crap." He also says that, "the reason he fixed himself to look good was because he was madly in love with himself." This confirms how pessimistic Holden's description of Stradlater was, saying he was disgusting and vain despite being good-looking.
Similarities Between Holden Caulfield And Nick Carraway
846 Words | 4 PagesMoreover, Holden’s untruthfulness is evident on pg.1 when he explains that he is only sharing this account of his life because it is the reader’s desire to hear it. Nonetheless, his will to be “neutral” or “act cool” here creates a sense that undermines his aforementioned claim. His “neutrality” is shown in the various excuses he uses throughout the chapter when addressing his flunking out of Pencey Prep however, in reality, he is actually extremely depressed when he states that he is glad to be leaving on pg.7. This longing for “coolness” is supported by Holden’s immaturity, established by his age and frequent tangents throughout the chapter. Therefore, Nick and Holden’s hypocrisy make them appear less reliable, which asserts that judgments about plot and characters should not be made solely on their
Holden Caulfield Rejection Analysis
810 Words | 4 PagesIn the beginning of this novel, Ackley is the unsophisticated boy who lives in the same dorm as Holden. Ackley has pimples, never brushes his teeth and is always in other people’s personal business. Due to this, Holden was always annoyed with him. One night, when Holden and Stratton get into a fight, Holden goes into Ackley’s room and realizes that his roommate is not in his bed. After realizing that his roommate is not coming back for the night, Holden asks if
Examples Of Thematic Essay On The Catcher In The Rye
1107 Words | 5 PagesThe effects of Holden constantly isolating himself can be seen especially through his improper speech and how he speaks to others. For example in chapter two Holden says “One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies (pg 14).” In this Holden is exhibiting his poor vocabulary and shows how he does not put thought into the things he says. When he uses the word phonies to describe the boys at Elkton Hills in reality he means he thinks they are boys whom he is not friends with and does not like. In many other cases Holden appears to immediately result to the word phony when describing something or someone he does not like.
Holden's Phonies In 'Catcher In The Rye'
226 Words | 1 PagesHolden on Phonies Holden Caulfield constantly contradicts himself in the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, this is best seen on his views towards phonies and he himself unknowingly being a phony. Throughout the book Holden mentions the phrase phonies several times as a way to describe someone who is fake, hypocritical, or pretentious. For instance, Holden thinks that Mr. Haas, the headmaster at Pency, was the most “phoniest bastard” he has ever met; Mr. Haas always puts on a act when he’s meeting parents (21). When people are phony it “drives [him] crazy” because he just wants people to be real (21).
Rhetorical Analysis Of The Catcher In The Rye
532 Words | 3 PagesIn chapter 2 page 13 Holden says “One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. That’s all.”. Holden is feeling happy that he is being kicked out of Pencey Prep because he is being surrounded by phonies. Holden dislikes phonies the most. In chapter 3 page 24 Holden says “Ackley!
Catcher In The Rye Analysis
1035 Words | 5 PagesFrom the outset, I have to say that “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger has been one of the most important and influential pieces of literature I have ever read. At its core, the book is a superb coming of age novel which discusses several extremely powerful themes such as the difficulties of growing up, teenage angst and alienation and the superficiality, hypocrisy and pretension of the adult world. These themes resonated deeply with me and were portrayed excellently through the use of powerful symbolism and the creation of highly relatable and likable characters. One such character is Holden Caulfield whom the story both revolves around and is narrated by.
Holden Caulfield Lies In Catcher In The Rye
1378 Words | 6 PagesThe only motivator that Holden has to continue living is his younger sister, Phoebe, who is extraordinarily intelligent for her age. After he gets kicked out of Pencey, Holden is lost in life. He speaks to many people, seeking advice and comfort, but they are not able to help him find a human connection. Holden’s depression increases throughout the novel, almost to the point of suicide. He criticizes many people and ideas, labeling them as ‘phony’.
Holden Caulfield Chapter 8 Analysis
340 Words | 2 PagesHolden Caulfield’s story begins on a December Saturday at Pencey Prep School in Pennsylvania, where he 's just been given the ax for failing all his classes except English. As it turns out, getting the ax is a frequent theme in Holden 's past. Before he leaves the school Holden runs to his favorite teacher’s house to say goodbye to him. Back in the dorm, Holden goofs around with Robert Ackley, a pimply and annoying kid. We 're introduced to Holden 's red hunting hat, and we meet his roommate, Stradlater, who is getting ready for a date with Jane Gallagher, an old friend and sort-of romantic interest of Holden 's. Holden is not happy about this impending date, but agrees anyway to write an English composition for Stradlater.
Essay On Phony In Catcher In The Rye
714 Words | 3 PagesHe takes the reader on a journey over a few days from him leaving the school to roaming the streets of New York. The question is Holden a Phony often pops into the minds of the reader. Holden is a phony because he is a hypocrite who does things that he criticize others for. He is a phony because he pretends to be someone that he is not,
Lack Of Responsibility In Catcher In The Rye
744 Words | 3 PagesIn The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a peculiar character portrayed as a skeptic living in “a world of phonies” in circa 1950. These personality traits can be seen through his doubts of society as well as his way of thinking and acting toward others. He also demonstrates a lack of responsibility adding to his role as a slacker. Holden flunks out of school repeatedly and has no desire to confront his parents. He mopes around the city for days, delaying the inevitable punishments he’s sure to get.
Phoniness In The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger
1002 Words | 5 PagesHolden knew Ackley was lying about his summer, so, he called Ackley a phony. In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, Holden Caulfield 's perspective on people give the reader a different and unique point of view. What is phoniness? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary a phony is a person who is not honest or sincere who says things that are meant to deceive. Therefore, phoniness is someone who doesn 't act as themselves, they deceive people by acting like someone they aren’t, even themselves.
Catcher In The Rye Analysis
1308 Words | 6 PagesHolden Caulfield lives his life as an outsider to his society, because of this any we (as a reader) find normal is a phony to him. Basically, every breathing thing in The Catcher in the Rye is a phony expect a select few, like Jane Gallagher. What is a phony to Holden and why is he obsessed with them? A phony is anyone who Holden feels is that living their authentic life, like D.B. (his older brother). Or simply anyone who fits into society norms, for example, Sally Hayes.
Misfit In The Catcher In The Rye
1418 Words | 6 PagesThis describes Holden to-a-t, because of his alienation problem, his conflict with “phoniness” and his struggle of growing up and leaving his small problems behind him. Throughout the novel,
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