Teenager In Catcher In The Rye

Troubled teenager

In this novel Holden not only demonstrates dishonesty by repeatedly lying in various occasions but also shows to be confused as of what he really is. It is also proven that he is a hypocritical person that is just looking to keep his image well even if he has to lie. It is also shown that this character seeks pity from other people in order to make himself feel better.

First off Holden Caulfield is not very shy about lying and even admits it when he lies. He uses false testimony to hide his true identity and for people to feel bad for him. Holden proves that, when he see’s Ernest‘s mother on the train. He says the following “It’s me Holden. I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." (pg, 58). That was truly a lie in reality as Holden was headed to New to take a little vacation from everything that was going on in his life. Holden lied about being sick because he wanted Ms. Morrow to feel bad for him and give him pity. Holden also appears to use lying to protect his true emotions where he talks during the book that sex should only be performed between 2 people who really care about each other and he also stated that sex should not be a
In chapter 5 Holden stated he was a pacifist "I'm a pacifist” (46).Meanwhile he showed the complete opposite when he and Stradlater had an argument after stradlater had gone on a date with Jane. What kind of a pacifist would sock someone in the face? A pacifist would never act like that. He is saying it but his not showing he is a pacifist. A second way that Holden Caulfield changes his image is when he was on his way to the store to buy a magazine and somebody asked him where he was headed and he said he was going to the opera. This shows that Holden feels insecure about what he does and lies to make himself look cooler or more