Examples Of Phony In Catcher In The Rye

In Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, while the narrator Holden thinks about and discusses Catholicism and having faith the word “bastard” or “phony” is always integrated into his ideas. Salinger’s repetition of the words “bastard” and “phony” in scenes discussing religion effectively characterizes Holden as someone with little faith, and a person with belief in only concrete ideas. While Holden reflects on his time at Pencey, he thought about the person that donated to the construction of his dorm Ossenburger. Holden had a vivid memory about a speech Ossenburger presented to his dorm about always praying to Jesus even while he was in the car. Holden considered Ossenburger stupid for relying on Jesus to keep him safe, “He said he talked to Jesus all the time. Even when he was driving his car. That killed me. I can just see the big phony

When Holden has a sleepover with Ackley, Holden wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about Catholicism. Holden wakes up Ackley to ask him questions about how to become Catholic and what type of monastery he could join. Ackley states the obvious, that in order to join a monastery you must be Catholic, and there should be monks etc. Ultimately, Holden concludes that even if he were to become Catholic, it would just be another thing done wrong in his life and that Catholics are probably just “All stupid bastards.”(50) Salinger’s choice in words characterizes Holden as an unfaithful person. Holden refers to Catholics as “All stupid bastards.” (50) In this context, Holden is calling anyone that would challenge themselves to something that could potentially make them a better person, like join a religion, “Stupid Bastards”(50). By calling Catholics stupid bastards he is making it seem okay for himself not to become Catholic, because Catholics are supposedly below