Diction and Mood In The Catcher In The Rye

         In chapter 25 in The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger creates an emotional piece for the reader, as Holden describes his actions when he walks down Fifth Avenue. As he approaches the street and crosses the block, he is encountered with a fear that he would never make it to the other side, and rather fall away or disappear all together. Every time he got this feeling, Holden would ask his brother Allie not to let him slip away. When Holden made it to the other side of the block, he would thank his brother, reliving the fear again each time he tried to cross the street. Due to the diction and connotation within the passage, a disparaging and negative mood is created. Furthermore, such a bleak and harsh mood and tone is created when Holden uses harsh language such as "goddamn" and "bastard" (197). These words show that Holden no longer cares about his overall image and is defeated and angry. These words also could mean his is exasperated, overall creating an negative and hopeless atmosphere. Similarly, Salinger  uses words like "spooky", "scared", and "afraid" within the text (198) which are again associated with a dark or unfortunate  tone which, overall, creates tension and senescence for the reader, as they wonder what will become of Holden. With in the scene Holden appears to have hit rock bottom. This is due to the use of syntax and repetition of the words "down" and "disappearing" (198) which concludes Holden is feeling about as alone and isolated as he has ever was. This idea with the use  of words associated with dark or negative images create a depressing and bleak atmosphere for the reader. Over all, the mood of the sense is disparaging, suspenseful, and scaring, as Holden feels as tough is he slipping away and being forgotten.