Similes In 'Catcher In The Rye'

Words: 166
Pages: 1

Device: Simile
Quote: “I know Central Park like the back of my hand, because I used to roller-skate there all the time” (p. 170).
Explanation: Throughout this chapter, Holden juxtaposes two complete different ideas in his similes. Firstly, he compares many things to hell and bastards, which in turn creates a dark and corrupt undertone to the text; however, by comparing Central Park to the back of his hand, he changes the complete mood of the chapter. It goes from a dark setting where he is drunk to a blissful and familiar setting. Comparing Central Park to the back of his hand is simple: Holden has finally found something that he can control. This far in the novel, fate has not been on his side and he feels alone and out of control of his