In the opening paragraph of the story, Holden introduces himself and mentions that his parents "would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them" (1). Holden is utilizing a hyperbole in his comment regarding his parents' reaction to him divulging information about them publicly. A hyperbole is a literary device that involves an exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.

For example, Holden's parents would not literally have two hemorrhages apiece if he told a stranger something personal about them but they would be extremely upset. By employing a hyperbole, Holden is emphasizing his parents' sensitivity when it comes to information regarding their lives and they are depicted as austere, private individuals.

As a neurotic, hypercritical teenager, who is both naive and immature, Holden continually utilizes hyperboles throughout his narrative to emphasize his thoughts and feelings. A few paragraphs later, Holden utilizes another hyperbole when describing the football rivalry between Pencey Prep and Saxon Hall. As he is standing alone on the top of the hill, Holden mentions:

It was the last game of the year, and you were supposed to commit suicide or something if old Pencey didn't win (2)

Holden's comment regarding students committing suicide if Pencey Prep loses is clearly an exaggeration. However, his use of hyperbole emphasizes the game's importance and sheds light onto the values of Pencey Prep. It is also significant that Holden is not in attendance, which identifies him as a lonely outcast who does not conform to the school's popular culture.