El Morocco, was built in 1931 by an Italian immigrant named John Perona with MartÃn de Alzaga. After prohibition was repealed, time period when the United States banned alcohol which was from 1920 to 1933, El Morocco became a place of fashionable society with its regular clientele of politicians and entertainers. Photographs taken by Jerome Zerbe in the next morning's paper made it known to the public where the stars had been the night before because of the well known zebra-striped motif in the background. These pictures let the people know El Morocco was the place to be. By adding allusions to the novel, J.D. Salinger gave us a time period without telling us what it was. Why do you think he used allusions, such as El Morocco, rather than telling us an exact time period? What role do allusions have in this novel? Are they important? Explain.
I think J.D Salinger used allusions to really age Holden; teenagers ofter use allusions and making Holden use them really puts an age on him. Also it gives you a sense of what the rooms he is in look like. Allusions in the novel play the part of giving the audience a more clear image to make in their head. It is important because if you do not know what the El Morocco is then you have to imagine what it was and how long ago it was made. Thankfully, J.D Salinger put specific places so we can know just where Holden is.
ReplyDeleteI think J.D. Salinger uses allusions instead of giving us directly the time period because it's a more natural way of speaking. Also, in the beginning of the book, Holden says "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all...but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." (page 1). I think it also to help with the narration and persona that was created for Holden. Allusions help us understand the mainstream popularities of that time period, as well as giving us a time period. I think allusions are important because they help the reader understand the character better and the character's emotion towards the allusion.
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