literally techniques
This figure of speech compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as," such as saying "brave as a lion".
"As a doctor with 20 years of medical experience, I highly recommend this treatment." This statement relies on this rhetorical appeal to build trust.
What is Ethos?
Holden visits this elderly history teacher at the start of the novel, who reads Holden's failing exam paper on the Egyptians.
Who is Mr. Spencer?
This direct comparison states that one thing is another without using "like" or "as," such as "The road was a ribbon of moonlight".
What is Metaphor?
A commercial showing mistreated shelter animals paired with sad music is heavily leveraging this emotional appeal to prompt donations.
What is Pathos?
Holden is leaving this Pennsylvania prep school because he flunked out of four of his five subjects.
What is Pencey Prep?
This technique gives human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human objects, animals, or ideas, such as "The wall stared at me silently" or "the trees danced in the wind".
What is Personification?
This appeal is the backbone of an argument that uses hard data, percentage-driven charts, and logical syllogisms.
What is Logos?
Holden buys this iconic red piece of headwear in New York after leaving the fencing team's equipment on the subway.
What is a Red Hunting Cap
Authors use this literary device to drop subtle hints, clues, or warnings about events that will happen later in the story.
What is Foreshadowing?
Churchill's famous declaration from WWII, "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields," perfectly illustrates this emphasis-building technique.
What is Repetition?
Holden describes his roommate Stradlater as this, contrasting him with the obvious slob Ackley.
What is a secret slob?
This occurs when there is a contrast or contradiction between expectations and reality, such as a fire station burning down.
Often used to humanize a speaker and spark an emotional connection, it is a short, personal story about a real incident or person.
What is Anecdote?
Holden recalls that this girl (Stradlater's date in Chapter 4) used to keep all of her kings in the back row when playing checkers.
Who is Jane Gallagher?