The Catcher in the Rye: Phonies

A huge theme of J.D. Salinger's A Catcher in the Rye u Holden's point of view and criticisms if various societal trends. One such trend that Holden finds particularly irritating is when people are "too good" at something. As I discussed in an earlier blog, Holden is extremely perceptive of his environment. Because of this, he is annoyed byte flaws that he sees in society that others don't seem to realize. For example, these people who seem to be "too good" Holden refers to as "phonies", like Ernie the piano player or the ivy league boy from the theatre. He thinks they are fake, and I am beginning to realize what he means by this. People who no longer derive the simple pleasure from their skill, but seek gratitude in the praise from others is fake pleasure in that act.