Catcher in the Rye Essay: Rebel with a Delicate Psyche :: Catcher Rye Essays

J.D. Salingers The catcher in the Rye provides a provocative inquiry into the crude animation of a depressed adolescent, Holden Caulfield. Without intensive analysis and study, Holden appears to be a understandably heterosexual, vulgar yet virtuous, typical youth who chastises phoniness and decries adult evils. However, this is a fallacy. The finest path to judge and analyze Holden is by his statements and actions, which can be irrefutably presented. Holden Caulfield condemns adult subversive activity and phoniness but consistently misrepresents himself and is a simulated as well as a hypocrite.   Holden criticizes phonies although he engages in phony colloquys and uses phony words. Before he leaves Pencey Prep, in his visit with Mr. Spencer, Holden partakes in an obviously phony conversation. During their talk old Spencer uses the line grand (p7) which infuriates Holden, Grand. Theres a word I really hate. Its a phony (p9). But he had already used the word nice (p1) and posterior uses the word swell (p124) both of which are phony. Later, while he was on the train he struck up a phony conversation with Mrs. Morrow. In order to elicit pity from her, and misrepresent himself, he explained his reason out for going home early was not that he was flunking classes (the truth) but, that he had to pee-pee this operation (p58). Holden deceives others by misrepresenting himself and acting phony.   Holden is a hypocrite because he continually enjoys what he virulently condemns. He proclaims that he hates the movies corresponding prison (p29). However, he goes to the movies. He also states, I dont like any shows (p117) and, I dont like the Lunts (p125), even though he purposely bought tickets for Sally and him to watch the Lunts. in one case in the theater, he expounds, the show wasnt as bad as whatever Ive seen (p125). Holden is insolent towards his school, stating its for the birds (p4). However, once again he contradicts himself by remarking that i t has a really good academic rating (p8) and its as good as close to schools (p55). Further confirmation that Holden is a phony.   Once in his room at the Edmont Hotel, Holden is quick to become a voyeur to the erotic and carnal activities of others in the hotel. Although he supposedly detests what he sees he does observe a potent transvestite for quite a while. Holden says, the hotel, which he personally chose, was lousy with perverts (p62).