Catcher In The Rye Literary Analysis

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Holden Caulfield values authenticity and criticizes anything that smacks of phoniness. Holden mocks the adults in his life because he is convinced they are all phonies. In the beginning of the book Holden compares his older adult brother to a prostitute, “Now he’s out in Hollywood, DB. being a prostitute” (page 4). Holden believes that his brother DB is a sellout. DB loved to write books but since making movies is making him more money he chooses to do that. Holden believes DB was happier and wrote better books than movies. DB used to be a regular writer but now he has so much money he just wants more. Holden appreciates real people who don’t come off as selfish and ignorant. As Holden describes the headmaster’s daughter we discover how much …show more content…
Holden likes Selma Thurmer because he realizes how real she is. Selma has many quirks and flaws. For example, how she wears falsies and she wasn’t the type of girl everyone would take a liking to. Even though her dad isn’t the nicest person Selma never brags about him. Realness is a major theme in Catcher in the Rye. Even though Holden supposedly hates phonies, in multiple situations he appears to be hypocritical and portray a phony. When talking to Ernest’s mother on the train holden decides to tell her false information about her son, “Then I start shooting the old crap around a little bit, “He adapts himself very well to things.” (page 62). Even though Holden hates his classmate Ernest, he pretends like he really likes him. He also lies about his name and tells the lady he is leaving school early because he has a brain tumor. Holden thinks its good he is lying because he wants this woman to believe her son is a good person. He doesn’t want her to lose her innocence about thinking her son is good which is a huge theme that is represented in the book. Even though Holden Caulfield critizes adults of being phony but really he is doing the same things
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