Holden Caulfield Hypocrisy Analysis

In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist Holden Caulfield is critical to those he interacts with. Specifically, Holden condemns those who lack authenticity and origiality, labeling them as phonies. However, Holden himself is a hypocrite, and although there are vulnerable moments where one can relate to him, his contradictions through his actions and behavior prove that the audience cannot truly empathize or like him. Throughout the novel, Holden interacts and criticizes several different people, but then contradicts himself, thus showing his hypocrisy. Among his first interactions is with his dorm room neighbor, Robert Ackley. Holden elaborates on his apparent disdain to his neighbor, commenting on his lack of hygiene and

Salinger writes is Holden’s use of the word phony. Holden’s use of the word pony derives from someone who can be identified as inauthentic and ingenuine; one who simply plays by the rules and does nothing to stand out. In The Catcher in the Rye, he claims a number of people are phonies, such as Eisenburger, Mr. Haas, and the actors who play the Lunts. All share similar characteristics: they lack originality. Yet, Holden falls into his own definition of “phony”. He declares that he is “the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life,” choosing to lie his way through simple conversations without reason. In particular, Holden has a brief meeting with one of his classmate’s mother, Mrs. Morrow. As he converses, he tells lies about his identity, saying his name is Rudolf Schmidt, and tries to elicit sympathy by explaining a fictitious operation he has to receive. In addition, Holden lies about his opinion of her son, Ernest, proclaiming him as some shy and sensitive classmate, when in fact, Ernest was the “the biggest bastard that ever went to Pencey, in the whole crumby history of the school.” Despite not knowing the precise reason to Holden’s gimmicks, the reader can infer that Holden is lying for his own personal benefit, whether it be just for fun, or a tactic of seduction, Holden’s deceit still remains. After Mrs. Morrow, Holden continues to lie about his age and his identity, doing so to the three girls he met at the

Some may say that Holden is a hypocrite because it is only a part of seeking truth.. That being the case, this assertion does not justify Holden’s need to condemn other people, yet still exercises the same actions he is expressing disapproval of. For Holden to be able to find the truth, he does not have to contradict his own practices and beliefs. Due to his hypocrisy, Holden becomes an unreliable narrator, thus the audience cannot wholeheartedly like the protagonist. Nonetheless, J.D. Salinger writes Holden Caulfield as a dimensional character, and the reader uncovers his own vulnerabilities as the story continues. In short, Holden’s actions reflect the actions of the audience, and this only helps with the aspect of maturing and growing up. Holden is someone who is critical, but the audience soon realizes, that the biggest phony is himself. J.D. Salinger writes this novel to remind the audience that people have their own vulnerabilities, and as they cast out one another, it is key to remember that potentially the biggest phony in the world, could be