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In addition to Holden's confusion in life, he experiences uncertainty in the way he views life. Holden sees life as a game, which he is losing. Games question one's knowledge and ability, as this game of life is challenging Holden. When Holden looks at life as a game it shows his doubtful outlook on life, because all games are made to second-guess oneself, as Holden does in this game of life. As Mr. Spencer deliberately explains to Holden that he must live "according to the rules- because he knows that Holden resists to adhere to the rules of the world, Holden unwillingly confesses that life is a game, .
Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hotshots are, then it's a game, all right "I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren't any hotshots, then what's a game about? Nothing. No game. (Salinger 8).
Holden's negative view of the game of life and how in some cases it may be a game, but not in others, brings hesitation to his demeanor. .
Confusion and dubiety in Holden's life bring him to the search of truth. When Holden looks at the adult world, he sees a bunch of phonies who have lost their childhood, and innocence. Holden fears the fact that one day he will have to step out of childhood, enter adulthood, and lose his innocence. He finds the movies to be phony because they create fake people and gloat them in a way that makes them appear to be heroes. Holden despises his brother D.B. because "he's out in Hollywood, , being a prostitute. If there's one thing I hate, it's the movies- (Salinger 2). Holden sees D.B. as a phony, and phonies are the opposite of what Holden is searching for, truth. .
Life scares Holden as he retreats away from society because of all of the phonies, in search of truth. He looks for a home, and a life surrounded by what is truthful and stable. (Lange 496) Allie and Phoebe represent what Holden believes to be stable and truthful in his life.