5 Things That Holden Caulfield Thinks Makes A Person Phony.

No one is safe from Holden's wrath.

5. The use of the word "grand".

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Holden despises the use of this word, so if you've ever said it, he probably won't forgive you. When Old Spencer uses the word grand, Holden says that it's a word he "really hates" and that "It's a phony"(14).

4. Acting and plays

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Holden sees that any involvement with plays makes you phony. He says that Sally is "queen of the phonies" because she enjoys going to plays (152). Holden also states that he hates actors because "they never act like people"(152). How Holden would know what a person acts like is beyond me.

3. Sexual desires.

Going to use my better judgement and not put a picture here. Holden has trouble engaging in sex, so he finds that trait unattractive. An example of this is when he describes the people in the Edmont Hotel "squirting water out of their mouths at each other." (Salinger, 80).

2. Being proud of yourself.

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If you like anything about yourself in any way, and are not afraid to show it, then you're on Holden's list. Holden makes a remark on Ernie's bow when he is finished playing the piano. He states that Ernie "gave this very phony, humble, bow", and that Ernie is "such a big slob." (110).

1. Adulthood.

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Sorry bud, but once you turn 18, Holden does not like you anymore. Holden tends to find every adult of society phony throughout the novel. He notices the difference between children and adults when he sees Phoebe asleep. According to Holden, adults look "lousy" with their mouths open, but "kids look all right" (Salinger, 207).