Practice Diction Analysis

Catcher in the Rye-J. D. Salinger

In the excerpt from Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses a vulgar and informal style with suggestive connotation and a drilling sound to portray the main character, Holden's, disposition and background. Salinger shows his informality and relaxed mood when Holden first says, "all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." The sharp and somewhat clattering sound of his writing is supported when Holden also says, "It cost damn near four thousand bucks." The sound and vulgarity shows Holden's ruthless and loud personality. In fact, Salinger uses many instances of inappropriate or profane words. By observing the author's style of writing, the suggestive mood and tone is found through his language.