what is holden's attitude toward storytellers who digress? how is this attitude reflected in his own style of storytelling? what do you think about the way salinger has told this story/used holden's voice so far?

Answer 1

Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye," holds a somewhat contradictory attitude toward storytellers who digress. On one hand, Holden enjoys listening to digressions and tangents, as they create a sense of authenticity and realness. He appreciates when people go off-topic because it feels more natural and genuine to him. On the other hand, Holden often criticizes writers or storytellers who overuse digressions and fail to maintain a coherent narrative.

This attitude is reflected in Holden's own style of storytelling, as he frequently veers off on tangents, sometimes losing track of the main point. He tends to jump from topic to topic, share personal anecdotes, and interrupt himself with random thoughts. This is evident in the way he recounts his experiences, digressing into memories or sharing his various opinions and observations. His storytelling style mirrors his stream of conscious thought process, where his mind wanders and he freely expresses his raw emotions and thoughts at the moment.

The way Salinger has told this story through Holden's voice is rather unique and effective. By utilizing Holden as a first-person narrator, Salinger allows readers to intimately connect with the protagonist's thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Holden's colloquial language, informal tone, and stream-of-consciousness style provide an authentic and relatable voice for many readers. Holden's use of digressions and tangents creates a sense of realism, making the narrative feel like a genuine teenager recounting their experiences.

At the same time, some readers may find Holden's storytelling style tedious or frustrating due to its lack of structure or focus. However, this portrayal aligns with Holden's character - his struggle to find a sense of belonging and identity, and his sense of alienation from the world. Therefore, the way Salinger has used Holden's voice serves the purpose of capturing the essence of adolescence and addressing the themes of isolation, loss, and the search for authenticity.