How does Holden's use of language and slang shape the tone of the novel?

• A. It shows his formal education and precise diction.
• B. It gives authenticity to his voice and humor while highlighting his immaturity and bias.
• C. It signals his reliability as a narrator.
• D. It hides his cynicism.

Answer: (B)

Holden’s slang and casual, slang-filled diction create a voice that feels immediate and personal, so the reader experiences the world through a teen’s perspective. That humorous tone comes from his wry, sometimes childish observations and the way he twists common phrases, which keeps things lively even when he’s disgusted or disillusioned. At the same time, this informal voice signals his immaturity and biases—he reads people through a subjective lens, overgeneralizes, and lets his opinions color everything around him—so the narration feels colored rather than perfectly objective. Because the language mirrors his viewpoint, the narrator comes across as unreliable in a way that’s revealing rather than merely deceptive, adding complexity to the tone. This makes the best choice, since it captures how language gives authenticity, humor, and a sense of Holden’s budding immaturity and bias. The idea of formal education and precise diction doesn’t fit the casual voice, and claiming reliability conflicts with the clearly subjective narration; the notion of hiding cynicism isn’t supported, since his cynicism often shows through his sharp, candid comments.