DeeDee Contributor Contributor
All of society or just parts of it. Remember he especially hates "phonies".
rockettomato2020 New Member
I'd say it's Holden against the loss of childhood innocence. That part where he's in his sister's elementary school and someone has written an F U on the wall and he's super upset about it supports my point I think. (Hopefully I'm remembering this part right, it's been a while.)
Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor
People have said society, people have said himself. I think it's a bit of both.
Why does Maurice punch Holden in the stomach?
When he refuses, she leaves, but she returns shortly thereafter with Maurice, who punches Holden in the stomach because he calls him a “moron,” at which point Sunny takes the extra $5 from his wallet.
Who is the elevator operator in Holden's first night?
Maurice. The elevator operator at the hotel where Holden stays on his first night in New York, who turns out to be a pimp—Maurice offers to send a prostitute to Holden’s room for $5. Hesitant at first, Holden agrees, though he doesn’t actually have sex with the prostitute, Sunny, when she arrives. Nonetheless, he gives her $5, ...
Phonies
In Holden's opinion, "phony bastards" are not only his but the worlds' antagonists. Holden is spurred to action (…or sometimes inaction) by all the people he meets who are just putting on a show. Dr. Thurmer the headmaster, George from Andover, Lillian Simmons—basically everyone he meets is phony in one way or another.
Holden's Judgmental Cynicism
Seeing everyone in the world as an antagonist is not only isolating—it's indicative of a clear character flaw. So while Holden sees everyone else as the antagonist, we as the reader can see that Holden himself is his own antagonizing force. He chooses to judge everyone he meets, he chooses to alienate, and he chooses to be alone.
