Salinger created a literary piece that was completely unique. The entire novel was

written in the first person view of the 17-year-old, Holden Caulfield. The majority of the

story is compiled of Holden's rudimentary monologue of 'complexly simple' thoughts, the rest utilizing his relay of previous dialogue. That and the use of unique punctuation,

digressing explanations, and complex characterization, transformed the simple plot into

The novel's dialogue and monologue alike, manage to relay the feel of natural speaking

such as: "I mean you'd be different in some way - I can't explain what I mean."

The contractions; you'd and can't - since they are common in everyday language -

establish a very common and simple tone. Stress on the first syllable of "different,"

reinforces the tone by demonstrating how typically they speak, just as in reality. He

uses dashes for pauses and signaling associative digressions. Instead of signaling

pauses, commas are used mostly where mechanically required, for instance:

"So all of a sudden, I ran like a madman across the street - I damn near got myself

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye

relate to easily. A more logical and linear path, relating to typical primal human thought,

me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to

the beginning he comments on his abundant supply of money, but by the end he is

it's craziness. He is resolved that he cannot be in control, but it is all he wants.

cabin in the woods. His cynicism is constant as he repeatedly generalizes everyone on

guy that your parents ask about. He states: "I've had that experience quite

This is based on Jean Piaget theory of assimilating new situations, accommodating them

type of luggage that his roomate has that he hides his own under the bed.

as: little need to sleep, difficulty remaining on topic discussions (jumping from subject

His level of intelligence is in no way reflected by his lack of knowledge on trivial issues.

the story's point-of-view. Instead of using the popular - however overrated - style of

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1634
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)