Money Talks

A detailed Summary of Money Talks

In the book The Catcher In the Rye by J. D. Salinger, the main character, Holden Caulfield, treats money and social standing with conflicting attitudes and perspectives. In many ways Holden rejects money and scoffs at people who are rich and, in his opinion, "phony." He fantasizes about being poor and living in a working-class environment. But at times, Holden acts rich and snooty around certain people. If Holden really adores the idea of poverty, why does he act so fake in certain situations?

Holden outright opposes money, and everything associated with it. He calls anything related to money "phony." These "phonies" include many people that he is somewhat close to, such as his classmates and roommates at Pency, his parents, and people he encounters while in New York. Why does Holden look at these people with such a harsh eye? Holden is talking to Sally and she responds to his idea of running away with a much more conservative one, a life that sounds exactly like his parents'. He is disgusted by the idea and he "was getting all depressed again" (133). A few moments before this he states how he absolutely "hates...everything, [he] hate[s] living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison Avenue buses, with the drivers and all

Although Holden seems to be intensely opposed to rich people, in many aspects, he is very hypocritical. Holden comes from an upper class family. His father is a successful lawyer, and the family lives in distinctive part of town. Holden makes a big deal out of identifying the economic status of a person when he talks about them or meets them. More time times than one, Holden has made condescending remarks about, and has looked down upon the lower and working class. When visiting his teacher Mr. Spencer, Mrs. Spencer answers the door, and Holden criticizes the fact that "they didn't have a maid or anything, and they always opened the door themselves. They didn't have too much dough"(5). This situation seems absurd to Holden, and he continues with the visit, noticing the shabby appearance of the Spencers and their house. While in New York, Holden meets and converses with a pair of nuns. He noticed right away upon their arrival, the fact that they were carrying "very inexpensive!

? If Holden really wants to be poor, but acts rich for odd reasons, isn't he phony too?

Fantasies of "get[ting] the hell out of here"(132) and joining the working class fill Holden's head in a very appealing way. He proudly wears an old hunting hat that he bought for a "buck"(17). This hat reappears many times throughout the book, including one time where he gives the hat to his sister Phoebe (180). This symbolizes Holden passing his fear of wealth onto his sister, and protecting her from the evil corruption of "phonies." Many times he encounters poor people and speaks of them well, defining them with words such as "swell" and "real." While talking to Sally, he presents the idea of driving to the forest, living with no money, and getting married. At another time, Holden manifests to the r

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Approximate Word count = 1198
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English