These concepts seem similar and there is definitely some overlap. On a simple level a phony is one who is insincere or one who is not genuine. What does that mean? It’s a person who tries to pass himself or herself off as something they are not. In most simplistic terms, let’s say it could be a person who may appear to be an expert on a subject when in fact he/she has only superficial knowledge.
Hypocrisy is the concept of “do as I say, not as I do.” One example that comes to mind is a scene from the great teenage book The Outsiders. Some of the “greasers” have saved children from a fire. At the hospital one of the greasers lights up a cigarette and is scolded for smoking by an adult……who is smoking. Pretty simple example, but it’s classic.
The two concepts have a great deal of overlap. There are a great number of psychological studies on each subject. This isn’t a discussion on the psychology of these terms. It’s more of an acknowledgment of the existence of each and some of their effects.
People who are phony are often transparent. This means it’s easy to spot their phoniness. While it may be amusing to observe, it’s also very sad. Is our society to blame? Who knows? Many factors would appear to play into being a phony. Some people have perfected the role in order to get ahead and to be successful. Is “playing the game” part of our lives? It would seem so, to some extent. Why some would say they don’t enjoy playing the game, they might also say it’s necessary at times. Have you found yourself in that position? I have at times.
It brings to mind the book The Catcher in the Rye. The main character, teenaged rich-boy Holden Caulfield, spends his existence railing against the phoniness in the world. What Holden fails to see is that he is also a phony. While trying to find his true self, he”plays the game” and is often deceptive about his identity, his background, and is a pro at telling “white lies.” Holden wants to be an integral part of society, yet his fear keeps him from being genuine.
Fear and insecurity may play large parts in people’s lives. Another example of phoniness and hypocrisy is the main character in The Great Gatsby. Jay Gatsby is rejected early on by a woman he feels is ideal. He vows to win her, whatever it takes. He becomes very wealthy, through illegal means, and still can’t win her. He has failed to understand the concept of old money vs. new money. He is nouveau riche and his intended is a blue blood. They don’t mix and are not equal in the mores of society. More the fool is he. But as much as we see his futile intent, it wouldn’t be a stretch for us to admit some of us have fallen prey to the same concept.
So does that mean if one trumpets his or her horn a little too much that it’s due to insecurity? It’s a possibility. If one has been immersed in a certain style of living for decades, then assumes a different style and touts that as the best while disrespecting the previous style of living, does that make it “Gatsbyesque”? Gatsby thought it would work for him, never recognizing what fueled his fire.
Way too heavy for me to ponder further at this moment. I’m a dedicated suburbanite. The suburb in which I’ve lived for decades began its life as an agrarian bastion. Those few farm families left are struggling to survive. Citizens arguing for more “green space” in town are oblivious to the plight of these farmers trying to maintain their farms. Is there hypocrisy and phoniness among the town? Yes, very much so. It’s always existed and will continue. Does that mean I should become Henry David Thoreau and live a peaceful existence in the woods? I could. Mostly I prefer to be myself and do my own thing and try to avoid the drama.
I tend to be real and speak my mind. So if I call you out on your judgements (hypocrisy), don’t go nuclear on me and criticize my lifestyle. Remember the old adage “when you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you.”
Stories Are For Eternity 