Phony in Catcher in the Rye

A detailed Summary of Phony in Catcher in the Rye


Holden Caulfield is driven by jealousy. His inability to be a "ladies man" or an academic success causes him to label these types of people as being "phony" in order to overcome his own insecurities and faults. The word "phony" is correctly applied in some cases throughout Catcher in the Rye but is mostly used incorrectly when Holden is making reference to someone he has come in contact with. This paper will discuss the way in which "phony" is used by Holden throughout Catcher and how it applies to different characters.

Usually Holden labels these characters (in some cases only having met them once or twice) based upon a conversation or the way in which the person carries their self. He does this instinctively due to his past in order to make him feel better about himself.


The use of the word "phony" as Holden uses it is nothing more than a confused teenager's way of pushing aside the people he feels inferior to. By doing this he can live his life without focusing on the mistakes he has made which have put him in the situation he is in. In reality it is Holden who is the "phony".

Ernie the piano player is quickly labeled a "phony" due to the way he takes a bow. Holden thinks he is very stuck up and will only talk to famous people. "It was very phony-I mean him being such a big snob and all" (p.84). Holden makes this notion without ever actually meeting him. He says that D.B. took him a couple of times to see Ernie play when in reality he has probably only heard of Ernie but never saw him.

Holden's main reason for liking Selma Thurmer is th

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Approximate Word count = 529
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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