The 1950s was a decade filled with turmoil, confusion, and hypocrisy. Holden can be seen as a by-product of that, not as the classic "oddball" he is depicted as. This is Salinger's way of critiquing the culture. The time period in which Holden grew up was full of hypocrisy and phoniness, which Holden saw right through. He didn't but into this theory, and thus, it made him different. Thus, the hypocritical society Holden grew up in changed his personality.One example of this hypocrisy can be seen in the relationship between the sexes. Women were so afraid to be left single in society that they would resort to drastic measures to ensure security. It was most important for women to get marri ...view middle of the document...
His so-called "funerals" are just the opposite. Holden can see right through Ossenberger and his scheme. Holden IS a religious person, however events like this deter Holden from having any major religious affiliation. Holden just has trouble fitting in with the right group. He claims to be an atheist, but he says that he doesn't know what that means, and he is unsure of an atheists main beliefs. His parents don't force upon him any religion, and he doesn't work to develop ties to one. Had Holden been given the chance to develop stronger religious bonds with an organization, his personality would have been different. A religious affinity would have developed more friends, and possibly have helped him to have coped better with his brother's death.Perhaps the most evident form of hypocrisy is the way people covered up their problems so that everything would appear to normal. People were so afraid of being "not normal" they would go to extremes. People would cover up their problems, and always pretend to be happy. People who didn't do this were often accused communist, and ostracized by neighbors. This had the most dramatic effect on Holden; he was not involved at in his brother's funeral, which left a permanent scar...
