Examples Of Phony In Catcher In The Rye

An incongruity refers to something out of place, a common occurrence within humans, but people are still surprised every day. When someone is mean instead of nice, turns left instead of right, dies instead of lives, fights instead of runs, and defies the status quo instead of following, people have no other option but to be stunned. People look for patterns and characteristics within others. They form a basic expectation, unknowingly hoping they will follow the standard. J.D. Salinger, the author of Catcher in the Rye, employed numerous incongruities in the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, and his sister, Phoebe Caulfield. Catcher in the Rye details Holden’s expulsion from Pencey Prep and his exploration in NY to discover the “truth,” demonstrating

From the beginning of the text, Holden displays hatred toward those who presume an identity. He ensured he left a previous school because he was “surrounded by phonies” (Chapter 2, page 19). However, when Holden runs away from Pencey, he runs into Ernest Murrow’s mother, telling her that he has “this tiny tumor on the brain,” and his name is “Rudolph Schmidt” (Chapter 8). He also praises Ernest to the highest degree, believing Earnest is “the biggest bastard that ever went to Pencey.” Within six chapters, Holden illustrates himself as a “phony,” even though he expresses great disdain for deceivers. Salinger utilizes this discrepancy to demonstrate that while it is easy for Holden to pass judgment on others, he cannot evaluate his life choices correctly. If Holden self-evaluates himself accurately, he will realize that his personality mirrors the phonies, allowing him to make decisions to alter his personality

When Holden first describes Phoebe, he describes her as “ a little too affectionate sometimes. She's very emotional, for a child” (Chapter 10). The description Holden provides appears normal for a 10-year-old child. She displays some emotional immaturity, so readers assume that Holden takes the protector role for his younger sibling. Yet, when the readers meet Phoebe, they realize the strange dynamic Holden and Phoebe have. Holden decides to run away from New York but wants to say goodbye to Phoebe first. Phoebe appears with a suitcase demanding to go with him. On the surface, it is easy to assume that Phoebe needs her brother, but Phoebe is scared that her brother will need her. Holden has flunked out of 4 schools at this point and unknowingly goes down a mental spiral, something Phoebe noticed earlier. Phoebe has more emotional awareness than Holden, which comes when one doesn’t fear assuming responsibility. Phoebe was willing to follow her brother as long as he was okay. This paradox is interesting because if Holden had been able to evaluate Phoebe properly, he would have noticed that she is in tune with her emotions, not that she’s emotional. Holden misjudges Phoebe because she is the figment of pure childhood innocence within his mind, ignoring every other personality