Phonies

One of the most notable aspects of Catcher in the Rye is Holden's use of the word phony. He refers to various people as phonies, such as the people that he went to school with. When Holden is referencing a phony, he is referring to someone who acts and speaks disingenuously. One of the words that epitomizes his hate for phonies is grand. "Grand. There's a word I really hate. It's phony. I could puke every time I hear it." Holden defines a phony as someone who acts solely to look good rather than to help anyone else or do anything honest. An example of someone who is a phony is Mr. Ossenburger. He runs a discount funeral parlor that takes advantage of grieving families. Holden's use of the word phony reiterates his cynical attitude towards society, a recurring theme. By the end of the novel, however, Holden's criticism of phonies has died down as he turns his attention to saving the innocence of youth.