Catcher In The Rye Phony Quotes

“I have been able to sniff out a phony.” (BrainyQuote) said actress Jennifer Coolidge, and perhaps she’s never read The Catcher in the Rye. However, she certainly sounds like Holden Caulfield who uses the word “phony” in the book an upwards of 40 times, all of which used in a negative connotation. Throughout the novel, J.D. Salinger develops this theme of phoniness in the adult world through changing personas to fit situations, artificial emotions, and commenting on movies and fame.
We see Holden noting when people’s personas change to fit their situations, again singling out people’s artificial actions. When speaking about priests, Holden comments, “. . .they all have these Holy Joe voices when they start giving their sermons. . .I don’t see why the hell they can’t talk in their natural voice” (Salinger 100). Holden also calls out his dorm room member, Stradlater, for acting thoughtful and kind in when he wants to give a girl the time, but remarks that Stradlater doesn’t actually care about the girls emotions. Through examining Holden’s tendency to comment on changing personas, it becomes evident that he is highly critical of phoniness in people’s actions.
Similarly, through noting when adults use artificial emotions, Salinger once again brings attention to phoniness in the adult world. He comments with annoyance how his history teacher, Mr.
Holden outwardly expressed a deep hatred for movies, as well as actors -- criticising the Lunts for acting too well. Holden also comments on Ernie the piano player, upset by the way he seemed to enjoy the applause and performing in the spotlight. Holden even criticizes his own older brother, once remarking that “Now he’s out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute” (Salinger 2). The apparent obsession Holden has with being frustrated by the actions of actors and other people in positions of fame emphasizes his hatred of