Catcher In The Rye- Use Of Lan :: essays research papers

Not many great novels were produced during the post World War II era. Perhaps the greatest novel published was J. D. Salingers The catcher in the Rye. This book, just like all told other great works, was met by scathing criticism and unyielding praise. Many literary critics marveled at Salingers sentience use of language to make Holden Caulfield, the main character, unbelievably realistic. Through Holdens thoughts and dialogues, Salinger successfully created a teenage boy. Because of that The Catcher in the Rye became one of the fewer great post World War II works.The language used in The Catcher in the Rye has been a topic of controversy in the literary critics realm. Holden Caulfields thoughts and comments serve to deepen his personality and provide entertainment. Salinger wanted to create a typical teenager but in addition wanted Holden to be an individual. Like most teenagers, Holden speaks in trite sentences however he also uses oral communication in places that were then uncommon. Holden often leaves his sentences dangling with words like "and all" and "or anything." Often he uses those phrase to extend some indescribable emotion or action like " how my parents were occupied and all before they had me" or "theyre nice and all." But many times there is no significance at all to the expressions as in "was in the Revolutionary War and all," "It was December and all" and "no gloves or anything." (Salinger 5-7) Holden has many expressions which appear consistently throughout the novel. Some places, the expressions only serve to make Holden much realistic, other places Holden is trying to reinforce his values. Holden repeatedly comments on his hatred toward phonies. That is one thing that Holden hates more than almost anything. That could be the reason he frequently confirms a statement with "I really do," "It really does," or "if you want to know the truth." He also confirm s comments by repeating them twice like "She likes me a lot. I mean shes quite fond of me." (Salinger 141) or "He was a very nervous guy- I mean a very nervous guy." (Salinger 165) He uses different phrases and styles to give a more factual backing to his comments, thus preventing himself from seeming like a phony. Holdens speech usually stays international vulgar and obscene. Whenever he says words like "ass," it is merely teenage vernacular for a part of the human anatomy. He doesnt say it to be offensive.