Hypocrisy can be found in many places that one looks. It can be seen among the rich, and those who dream of having glamorous lifestyle. Even teenagers display hypocrisy. One may claim to not be a hypocrite, however, when a third party views their life, that third party may view themselves as one of the largest hypocrites. In The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye, there are obvious examples of hypocrisy throughout the story line.
The Great Gatsby has several examples of hypocrisy. Myrtle is a wonderful example of hypocrisy and phonies. She lives a double life throughout the wealthy Tom Buchanan; all the while, her husband, Wilson, remains a mechanic in the Valley of the Ashes. “My dear,” she cried, “I’m going to give you this dress ass soon as I’m through with it. I’ve got to get another one tomorrow. I’m going to make a list of all the things I’ve got to get. A massage and a wave, and a collar for the dog, and one of those cute little ash-trays where you touch a spring, and a wreath with a black silk bow for mother’s grave that’ll last all summer. I got to write down a list so I won’t forget all the things I got to do.” (Fitzgerald,) This quote was spoken by Myrtle as she was talking to Mrs. McKee, in Myrtle and Tom’s apartment in the city. The quote is a perfect example of how Myrtle acts like a phony. In a rich environment, Myrtle does her best to have those around her, believing that she belongs there. She speaks to Mrs. McKee as though she, herself, actually has the money to do all those things on her spoken list. When in reality, that evening, she will be returning to her lowly husband and a mechanic shop for a home. Hypocrites aren’t only found among adults, but among teens as well. The Catcher in the Rye portrays phonies as well.
Holden Caulfield is one to judge, deciding who is or is not a phony. He is harsh with his opinion, basing his judgment simply on what he sees or hears after mere minutes. Holden himself could be classified as a phony. He consistently claims to hate shows, yet every time he sits in the audience, he is being hypocritical. When caught in a jam, Holden is quick to lie, rather than speaking the truth. He even stated, “If I’m on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I’m going, I’m liable to say I’m going to the opera.” (Salinger, 16) Those that Holden criticizes most for hypocrisy are those who go to the shows, operas, and who never show the bad in their life. However, every time Holden lies, he portrays himself as the same phonies that he judges all the time. Holden is a phony about his life, just as much as Myrtle.
The catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby both characterize phonies and hypocrisy. Myrtle and Holden are characters in different positions. Myrtle flaunts having money when she’s with Tom, while Holden has nice things but isn’t loud about it. Both are hypocrites in their own way. Myrtle can make people feel low, about not having as much money as she does when she is with Tom. At the same time she keeps it hushed, that in reality she is on the lower end of society; the very side that she loudly criticizes. She only wants people to view her as wealthy, the center of a good life. While in his lie, Holden associates him self with the very people he would criticize of hypocrisy. He has a life in his mind, being a judgmental teenager who hates phonies. Through his lies and actions, he lives as a rich boy who goes on dates to shows and operas.
Both characters give a literary representation of hypocrisy. Both try to live two lives. They spend time talking, or thinking poorly about whichever life setting they are not living at the moment. Hypocrisy is among all societies and cultures. Whether it’s being critical of a social class or the way someone talks, even the way someone may present themselves to a group. Comparing hypocrites and phonies from different book, different cultures and lifestyles, conveys the idea that you don’t have to be in any certain environment to find a phony. Hypocrites are all around. One may even catch themselves being a hypocrite if they reflect on their past, or if they stop and reevaluate the present situation.
