The book is understandable and easy to analyze. It consists of words used during the 50's. There are also words that are mostly used in today's society. It also has some curse words, in which young readers should be warned about.
Vocabulary Words1. Phony (9) - fake, not genuine, fraudulent
2. Suave (64) - Someone who is suave is charming, polite, and elegant, but may be insincere.
3. Flit (143) - a 50's slang word for homosexual
4. Foyer (158) - an entrance hall used by the public, especially a hotel or a theater
5. Digress (182)- leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing.
Literary Devices1. Theme - Alienation and Depression
Holden has no real friends and he further isolates himself by labeling everyone as a phony. Pheobe is actually the only member of Holden's family that didn't abandon him in some way or another. His younger sister Allie died, his brother, D.B. is in Hollywood and his parents are always keeping their distance from him.
2. Visual Imagery
"There were pills and medicine all over the place and everything smelled like Vicks Nose Drops... old Spencer had on this very sad, ratty old bathrobe that he was probably born in or something" Salinger forces the reader to picture Mr. Spencer and understand why Holden is depressed being around him.
3. Symbolism- Hair coloursBoth Allie and Phoebe share the same colour of hair which is red. They are described as happy and energetic, with a hair color to match. Holden on the other hand, is depress with dull gray hair color. This symbol also shows how Holden is very different compared to his siblings
4. Irony
Holden hates phonies more than anything but he acts like one all the time by lying. Also, he often tell readers to "trust him" but swears right after.
5. Conflict - Holden v.s. Himself
Holden gets into fight with other people like Straedlater and Maurice but most of his damage is done by himself. Holden flunks out of all his schools because he refuses to apply himself. Holden has no friends because he calls them as phonies and refuses to talk to them.
*The literary devices in the novel has helped reinforce the theme of depression, alienation, and the childlike innocence in a cruel adult reality world.
Holden gets into fight with other people like Straedlater and Maurice but most of his damage is done by himself. Holden flunks out of all his schools because he refuses to apply himself. Holden has no friends because he calls them as phonies and refuses to talk to them.
*The literary devices in the novel has helped reinforce the theme of depression, alienation, and the childlike innocence in a cruel adult reality world.