Exxageration

In chapter 19, on page 141, Holden goes to the Wicker Bar in New York. Salinger writes, “It’s one of those places that are supposed to be very sophisticated and all, and the phonies are coming in the window.” Seems like an interesting enough place.

After discussing how two girls would come out and play the piano and sing, he mentioned how it drove all the “phonies” crazy. If everyone who went there was a phony, why would he be there? Once again, I do not see how he is honestly different from everyone else. He thinks he is above them or something when he is not. Holden said that everyone in the place was a phony, even the bartender. I do not understand why he goes to places when he thinks that everyone sucks. I am betting that he sucks, too. At least in the way he thinks.

Holden met up with an old “friend” who he had indifferent feelings about. Apparently this guy can tell whenever anyone is a “flit,” anyone at all. Holden thinks that he may be a little bit of a “Flit” himself. Holden thinks, “He was a pretty intelligent guy, though. He really was.” This makes me think that he may have respected the gays. I figured with his view on life, he would hate them like he hates everything else. Holden always surprises me with his different opinions.

At the table with him, Holden said, “I bored him a lot. I really did. He amused me, though. He was one of those guys that sort of amuse me a lot” (Salinger 144). But later on, he says, “He could be pretty boring himself sometimes” (Salinger 144). It was on the same page, and only had a paragraph in between. I was amazed, once again, about how Holden can change his opinion so fast. I do not even think he really ever felt like he was “amused a lot.” He was probably just amused a little. When he started discussing school, I think Holden just felt a little bored for a minute. I think he just exaggerates.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.