What is Holden's view of phoniness in society?

• A. He fully embraces phoniness as a social norm.
• B. He ignores phoniness completely.
• C. He sees phoniness as superficial and problematic, though not fully rejecting it.
• D. He is unaware of phoniness in society.

Answer: (C)

Holden treats phoniness as a widespread, hollow pretence in adult life that he finds deeply wrong and off-putting. He spends much time calling out insincerity in how people talk, act, and pretend to care about things they don’t genuinely value. Yet this stance isn’t a simple rejection; he isn’t able to step outside the social world entirely, and he often participates in the same games he mocks, which shows the tension he feels. He longs for authenticity and honest connection, especially in the way people feel and in the innocence he associates with children. That longing sits beside a wary awareness that he himself can slip into “phony” behaviors, underscoring the idea that he critiques the culture around him but remains enmeshed in it.