The book I am doing my outside reading on is Catcher in the Rye. So far I am really enjoying the book. I thought I might have to read for a while before I became attached to Holden (the main character) and his story, but it only took a couple of pages. My favorite part of the book so far is how it is in low diction, and the word choice makes it pleasing to read, not a hard task.
The literary element that I think is most common in my book is irony, because there's always something that Holden is saying that just isn't quite what you would expect. He also crashes several friendships because of his negative views on the world. I'm about 90% sure about irony being the most common one, but if you have read the book and think I'm wrong, you're most likely right, so please leave comments!
J. D. Salinger, the author, used a lot of irony in the story to demonstrate how Holden's brain is messed up, and his very negative views on life and his immaturity cause him to ruin events, friendships, and flunk school.
The tone of this novel is moralistically vexed, because Holden is very suspicious of everyone and thinks they are phony and mean. Sometimes he will call old friends and become homesick, which then makes the tone more nostalgically dramatic.
Again, if you have read Catcher in the Rye, please comment on this. Thx! (Even if you're Mrs. Gilman)
