The great gatsby dialectial journal
Quotations Context/Analysis
1 “And yet I still act sometimes like I was only about twelve. Everybody says that, especially my father. It’s partly true, too, but it isn’t all true. People always think something’s all true. I don’t give a damn, except that I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes, I act a lot older than I am – I really do- but people never notice it. People never notice anything.” (Salinger 9) Context:
Holden recalls his behavior for the past few years as immature yet mature for his age at times.
Paradox Analysis:
This sentence is among the first that include contradictory statements. These paradoxical claims produce uncertainties among the reader about the source and narrator of the novel, Holden. The inconsistencies of his story not only quickly establish the limited point of view that Holden can provide to the reader but also give insight into his behavior.
2 “He was one of these very, very tall, round-shouldered guys-he was about six four-with lousy teeth” (Salinger 19) Context:
Holden briefly describes Ackley’s physical characteristics after he barges into Holden’s dorm.
Imagery Analysis:
With the very few sentences he has used to describe Ackley, Holden already embeds an image of an unhygienic, disliked Ackley into the reader’s mind through imagery such as this. He later goes on to describe his actions, like cutting his nails, in detail to create more negative imagery of Ackley. Holden also describes events such as going to the movies with Brossard, Ackley, and other guys to illustrate the interactions of Ackley with other people which seem, to some extent, better than that of Holden with others.
3 “I know old Jane like a book- I still couldn’t get her off my brain. I knew her like a book. I really did.” (Salinger 76) Context:
As Holden was leaving the lobby, Jane pops into his mind again, a usual experience for him.
Repetition/Diction Analysis:
Repetition is a powerful element in this novel whether
1 “And yet I still act sometimes like I was only about twelve. Everybody says that, especially my father. It’s partly true, too, but it isn’t all true. People always think something’s all true. I don’t give a damn, except that I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes, I act a lot older than I am – I really do- but people never notice it. People never notice anything.” (Salinger 9) Context:
Holden recalls his behavior for the past few years as immature yet mature for his age at times.
Paradox Analysis:
This sentence is among the first that include contradictory statements. These paradoxical claims produce uncertainties among the reader about the source and narrator of the novel, Holden. The inconsistencies of his story not only quickly establish the limited point of view that Holden can provide to the reader but also give insight into his behavior.
2 “He was one of these very, very tall, round-shouldered guys-he was about six four-with lousy teeth” (Salinger 19) Context:
Holden briefly describes Ackley’s physical characteristics after he barges into Holden’s dorm.
Imagery Analysis:
With the very few sentences he has used to describe Ackley, Holden already embeds an image of an unhygienic, disliked Ackley into the reader’s mind through imagery such as this. He later goes on to describe his actions, like cutting his nails, in detail to create more negative imagery of Ackley. Holden also describes events such as going to the movies with Brossard, Ackley, and other guys to illustrate the interactions of Ackley with other people which seem, to some extent, better than that of Holden with others.
3 “I know old Jane like a book- I still couldn’t get her off my brain. I knew her like a book. I really did.” (Salinger 76) Context:
As Holden was leaving the lobby, Jane pops into his mind again, a usual experience for him.
Repetition/Diction Analysis:
Repetition is a powerful element in this novel whether