J.D. Salinger uses many literary devices throughout this novel. Three of them include: symbolism, irony, and motifs.
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A symbol used in The Catcher in the Rye is Holden's red hunting hat. It is used to show his uniqueness and to separate him from everyone else. "I put my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, "Sleep tight, ya morons!" (p. 68). Here Holden put his hat on as he was leaving Pencey Prep. The hat shows that he desires to be different from everyone. I think it mirrors his need for isolation.
Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop the text's major themes. A motif the author uses in The Catcher in the Rye is intimacy and sexuality. Holden is constantly looking for new relationships and talking about sex. Although they offer him a way to escape alienation they can also mean something else. They can mean change which is something Holden fears. "I know you're supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head, but I didn't. Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I felt much more depressed than sexy." (p.123). This shows how when Holden was going to lose his virginity he suddenly changed his mind. It can contribute to a theme of fear of change.
Irony is used in the novel as Holden talks about religion. He is constantly criticizing religion and saying that most people who are rich and religious are phonies. However he contradicts himself when he talks about Allie. "I couldn't stand it. I know it's only his body and all that's in the cemetery, and his soul's in Heaven and all that crap, but I couldn't stand it anyway. I just wish he wasn't there." (p. 202). This quote shows how Holden believes Allie is in Heaven yet he says he's an atheist. It shows irony. It also infers how Holden is confused about who he is. Is he sure if he believes in God or not? It shows how Holden is going insane because he is constantly confusing the readers.
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A symbol used in The Catcher in the Rye is Holden's red hunting hat. It is used to show his uniqueness and to separate him from everyone else. "I put my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, "Sleep tight, ya morons!" (p. 68). Here Holden put his hat on as he was leaving Pencey Prep. The hat shows that he desires to be different from everyone. I think it mirrors his need for isolation.
Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop the text's major themes. A motif the author uses in The Catcher in the Rye is intimacy and sexuality. Holden is constantly looking for new relationships and talking about sex. Although they offer him a way to escape alienation they can also mean something else. They can mean change which is something Holden fears. "I know you're supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head, but I didn't. Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I felt much more depressed than sexy." (p.123). This shows how when Holden was going to lose his virginity he suddenly changed his mind. It can contribute to a theme of fear of change.
Irony is used in the novel as Holden talks about religion. He is constantly criticizing religion and saying that most people who are rich and religious are phonies. However he contradicts himself when he talks about Allie. "I couldn't stand it. I know it's only his body and all that's in the cemetery, and his soul's in Heaven and all that crap, but I couldn't stand it anyway. I just wish he wasn't there." (p. 202). This quote shows how Holden believes Allie is in Heaven yet he says he's an atheist. It shows irony. It also infers how Holden is confused about who he is. Is he sure if he believes in God or not? It shows how Holden is going insane because he is constantly confusing the readers.