Who is Selma Thurmer and what does Holden say about her?

At the beginning of the novel, Holden Caulfield is standing on the top of Thomsen Hill overlooking the football field where Pencey Prep is playing their rivals, Saxon Hall. Holden begins describing Pencey Prep and mentions that only seniors were allowed to bring girls to the home football games. Holden's attention drifts into thinking about girls, and he begins talking about a friendly girl named Selma Thurmer. Holden says that Selma Thurmer is the headmaster's daughter and that she shows up to most of the football games. Holden goes on to mention that he sat next to Selma on a bus ride from Agerstown once and struck up a conversation with her. Holden admits that he liked Selma and felt sort of bad for her because she had a big nose and chewed-down fingernails. Holden also says,

What I liked about her, she didn't give you a lot of horse manure about what a great guy her father was. She probably knew what a phony slob he was (Salinger 2).

Selma is depicted as a vulnerable, honest girl who Holden identifies with and likes. As the novel progresses, the reader learns that Holden cannot stand popular individuals who act "phony" and have inflated views of themselves. Selma Thurmer is an authentic, genuine girl who has flaws and gets along with Holden.

Selma Thurmer is the daughter of Holden's headmaster at Pencey Prep. As with just about everyone else in the novel, Holden regards Selma's old man as a phony. What he likes about Selma is that she seems to feel the same way. She often shows up to the school's football games, and although Holden says she isn't exactly the kind of girl to drive you wild with desire, he still thinks she's a pretty nice girl all the same. In terms of looks, however, Holden's none too impressed. He observes, somewhat ungallantly, that Selma has a large nose, badly bitten nails, and wears false breasts. Yet ironically, Holden still likes her, because she doesn't give him a load of bull about what a great guy her father is. She probably knows what a phony slob he really is, and for Holden, that's a definite plus.