How Does Holden Lie

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Nico Markham 10/26/16
G band
Brandon Lewis English classof
The Catcher and the lie In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden uses self destructive behavior to maintain distance from people. Holden does not want to get close to people because he is terrified being hurt while still coping with the death of his brother.

Throughout this story, Holden swears a lot. When he uses this foul language in front of people, his purpose is to establish a barrier of uncomfort to avoid a connection being made. When Holden is dancing with a girl at a nightclub he swears, saying “oh christ” and “chrissake.” The woman’s response shows the outcome of Holden’s use of this foul language as she says to him; “‘Listen. I toleja about that. I don’t like that type language’, she said. ‘If you’re gonna use that type language, I can go’” …show more content…
He masks his true identity with one that he creates. He often lies to the people he meets in the novel, and he admits “I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life” (16). In one example, while talking about his school, Holden says “It’s not too bad. It’s not paradise or anything, but it’s as good as most schools.” While having a conversation with a lady he meets on the train, Holden lies about the woman’s son by saying “he adapts himself very well to things. He really does. I mean he really knows how to adapt himself” (55). Adding on, Holden also admits that he is not seeking to tell this woman his “whole life history.” This is an early example of how Holden keeps from bringing up his dark memories of the past. Lying in this manner keeps him from talking about his brother’s death, and lying creates distance from these subjects which Holden feels reappear during this conversation. People lie to avoid talking of painful things, and therefore becoming vulnerable which can often lead to being

Examples Of Lying In Catcher In The Rye

“I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me” (S.E Hinton). J. D. Salinger presents the protagonist of the novel- Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye as a lazy seventeen-year-old boy who is trying to figure out the world and expresses himself by lying for entertainment. Once Holden starts with one lie, he continues to do so to defend his last lie and he doesn't know how to get out of it. Holden does it excessively and doesn't care who he is lying to just as long as they believe him…

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like to lie compulsively, and to be scared to make connections with people due to the past? Well in the book “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, Holden is a very odd character. Throughout the book, the author Salinger really brings out Holden’s traits by using themes. The most important theme and the biggest characteristic of Holden is his ability to lie. All through the book, “The Catcher in the Rye” Holden tries to “fit in” with everyone by lying. Throughout the book, Holden encounters…

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Holden's Insecurities: The Catcher in the Rye Essay

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Words 619 - Pages 3