Arts >> Theater >> Broadway

Why does Holden think Sally is a phony in Catcher the Rye?

Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye," considers Sally Hayes a phony for several reasons:

1. Superficiality: Holden perceives Sally as being shallow and superficial. He believes she is more concerned with appearances and social status than with genuine emotions or meaningful conversations. He criticizes her for her obsession with material possessions and her tendency to conform to societal expectations.

2. Lack of Authenticity: Holden finds Sally to be insincere and lacking in authenticity. He believes she pretends to be someone she is not to impress others. Holden is frustrated by her constant need for validation and her inability to be herself.

3. Pretentiousness: Holden views Sally as pretentious and affected. He notices that she often uses big words and intellectual jargon without fully understanding their meaning. He finds her intellectual posturing to be artificial and disingenuous.

4. Emotional Distance: Holden criticizes Sally for her inability to connect emotionally with others. He feels that she is guarded and unwilling to let people get close to her. He contrasts her emotional distance with the genuineness and vulnerability of his sister, Phoebe.

5. Inconsistent Behavior: Holden is frustrated by Sally's unpredictable and inconsistent behavior. She can be friendly and flirtatious one moment, and cold and distant the next. He finds her mood swings and mixed signals confusing and frustrating.

Overall, Holden's perception of Sally as a phony stems from his desire for genuine and authentic connections with others. He sees her as superficial, pretentious, and lacking in emotional depth, which makes it difficult for him to trust or relate to her.

Broadway

Related Categories