Use Of Slang In Catcher In The Rye

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The use of slang in the book, The Catcher in the Rye, enriches the novel by opening a window into real life. By using language throughout the book that mirrors how teenagers really act and think and say, Salinger is bringing young readers closer in to Holden’s world. The use of slang makes it easier to relate to Holden, and what he is going through, than if the book had been written in a straight literary manner. I allows readers of all ages to connect to the emotional message of the book, and allows one to really connect to the characters. Historically, teenagers have a language they think is all unto themselves. As any adult how they spoke as a young adult, and most likely they will own up to cursing, and the liberal use of slang. Slang, a term uniquely its own, but able to be stuck to any generation. The use of slang is not unique to a generation, although the slang used, may be. Each new generation of teenagers comes up with its own language. It stems from the breaking away from the parents, on the ultimate quest for independence. Each generation …show more content…

That usage works to make this book very relatable to everyone, but especially to other sixteen year old boys. This book is Holden’s legacy; His story, thoughts, feelings, and experiences spread before us in black and white. Swimming across our minds, and either drawing us in or repelling us. But capturing our imaginations and attention all the same. It is also us ed to underline the happenings in the book and makes the reader aware that certain things are happening. Holden generally has a specific reason for using curse words. They underline extreme emotion, or thoughts, about a specific thing. Holden curses to show extreme dislike, or anger towards something, or someone. Cursing is also used to alert the reader that the events occurring have significance to Holden, or another

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