Hiding Behind A Mask (painting)

Holden feels that the vast majority of people in his life are, in his words, "phonies". Through his encounters in the many places he's been, especially the various prep schools that he has attended, Holden is under the impression that almost all people are unkind, malicious, untruthful, and fake. Because of this, Holden turns to externally distancing himself from all people, while internally, he yearns for companionship. After he gets into a fight with Stradlater, Holden says that "[he] feels so lonesome...[he] almost wishes that he was dead" (48). However, in the midst of this, Holden is hesitant to fully examine his own character and actions. Holden even admits that "once [he] starts [lying], [he] can go on for hour if [he] feels like it" (58). This makes him sound hypocritical, and like a phony himself.