How is Holden Caulfield in Catcher and the Rye cynical?

He is cynical because he is an adolescent seeing things from his biased view and in that egotistical stage of life. If you read the book you will see how he describes people in a negative way. The words he uses may be different than such common terms of today, such as "whack" or "f@g", but he uses negative connotations. So, to get quotes-- this may be tough, be strong-- open your book to page one and read. Use a highlighter, whatever. It is actually a good book.