Lookin’ for a car? What did you have in mind? See anything attracts you? I’m dry. How about a little snort of good stuff? Come on, while your wife’s lookin’ at that La Salle. You don’t want no La Salle. Bearings shot. Uses to much oil. Got a Lincoln ’24. There’s a car. Run forever. Make her into a truck.
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 7. Steinbeck uses the power of language to paint a picture of a dehumanized car salesman. The endless monologue, the fast talking, use of clipped language, short and to the point descriptive sentences, all add up to a efficient dealer with an insatiable desire to sell used cars.