Another key issue with Holden Caulfield's character in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is his hypocrisy. Throughout the entirety of the novel Holden is accusing other people, even strangers, as being fake and phony and impossible to trust. However, by the end of the story it is very clear that Holden is the biggest phony of all. For one, he despises people who value their material things, but he himself takes great pride in the possessions he has, like his red hunting cap that makes him feel unique and special.
Even though Holden is not a good liar, and admits it himself, he does lie several times throughout the novel, seemingly without any kind of serious thought beforehand, hesitation, or actual guilt. Holden is doing what he thinks is right and good and acceptable, even though this is not always the case. Holden never tells the truth to people who ask, and the reader can't even be sure if he is lying through his narration as well. While Holden's story is not far-fetched and unbelievable, Holden gains a reputation with the reader for always putting a little extra spin onto the end of the stories he tells.
Another big issue is Holden's resentment towards his parents. Holden holds a big grudge against them for sending him to an out of state private school, even if they thought they were doing it for his own good and for theirs. Despite that the fact that they do care about their son, Holden believes that they feel he is useless, and that is why he thinks they send him away. And even after being expelled from his school, Holden refuses to face his parents until the very end of the novel. I think that both parties have some sorting out to do, but Holden needs to believe that his parents aren't completely phonies and that they love him and will do what they believe is best for their son.
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