Phonies In Catcher In The Rye

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Holden’s problem is not ‘phonies’, but his inability to accept reality. DO YOU AGREE? J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye depicts Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of the text, as a miserable and despondent adolescent consumed by depression. To an extent, it is inferred that his issues are not linked with the so-called ‘phonies’ that he so often blatantly despises, but more so his reluctance to accept reality. In the context of the novel, the definition for the term ‘reality’ would most suitably be discussed as the adulthood which one acceptingly transitions to subsequent to their adolescence. Caulfield deems ‘phonies’ as those whose personalities are forged so as to conform more fittingly within their surroundings; those being evidently adults in the novels. As such, to Holden, the term ‘phony’ is closely associated with growing up, creating substantial grief as he wishes to prevent the inevitable. Furthermore, Holden is resolute on his misconception that growing up consequently results in losing one’s innocence, and so he segregates himself from society. To add, Caulfield’s strong values regarding the youth conflict with those held by society. Caulfield’s idealistic approach to the idyllic world contributes to his depression when he realises how heavily it is contrasted to the truth, as demonstrated through the current…show more content…
This is represented through the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as he never addresses his own sentiments directly, but rather censure upon the so-called ‘phonies’. Additionally, he isolates himself away from everyone else, unwilling to develop into an adult. Furthermore, Caulfield’s principles are imperative to him, and so, when he compares his to the ‘phony’ world’s, he finds himself in misery. Ergo, the text depicts Holden Caulfield, an adolescent, with disputes resulting from his hesitancy to acknowledge
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