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Catcher In The Rye Voice Analysis

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An essential element to a good novel is voice. Voice helps to develop character, theme, and setting. Just like in The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger and 1984 by George Orwell, voice helps give life to the characters. The Catcher in the Rye has a dynamic main character that struggles with fitting in with society. Winston in 1984 is a dry man who is trying to withstand the government's power. In both, voice is shown through point of view, dictation, and tone. To begin, each novel's voice have contrasting points of view that impact character. For instance, the points of view vary when informing the reader of facts. In The Catcher in the Rye, the main character speaks directly to the readers. Holden and Stradlater get in a fight when discussing girls. …show more content…

So I did it. I landed on him like a goddam panther" (16). Holden explains his own actions to the readers. First person allows readers to put themselves in the story, and therefore understand better what is going on. This is extremely different from 1984. In 1984, the narrator just tells readers important information. After Winston realizes the potential power that the Proles would have if they fought the government, the narrator interjects his own opinion. Orwell writes, "But the proles, if only they could somehow become conscious of their own strength, would have no need to conspire. They needed only to rise up and shake themselves like a horse shaking off flies" (89). The narrator is an outsider

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