Re: second opinion

Brendan McKennedy (suburbantourist@hotmail.com)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 14:58:21 -0700 (PDT)

>      Basically, my problem with Holden is that it's too negaitive, 
there are
>no answers offered. It's just a big long rant on everything. 

Not a fan of Shakespeare, then, eh?  Hamlet was very much like Holden;  
it's no mistake that Holden criticizes Olivier's performance of the 
Danish prince as if Holden *Knew* the part well.  Holden was living the 
life of Hamlet.  Not all the logistics, but whatever.  

The point is, I think a great deal of good literature is mostly negative 
in nature, and while we all like the author to offer us some hope 
somewhere in there, that's not necessarily life, is it?  Some characters 
don't have hope.  I think Holden does give us hope, though I can't tell 
you exactly what that hope is.  All I know is that when I finish reading 
that book I feel a sense of awe and beauty and grace and a little 
sadness, which is hopeful as well.  We need to learn that sadness isn't 
the end of the world.  We can cope.  I feel like I should hug someone 
now, so I'll move on.

I think people who read
>Catcher who view Holden as the answer are a little bit misguided. 

I couldn't agree more.  I don't think he's meant to be Jesus; I think 
he's meant to be confused.  Because you identify with someone doesn't 
mean that they're correct; that's where the teenagers go wrong, I think.

>    I just wonder (pure speculation on my part) if JD, after the
>cultural phenomenon of Catcher, didn't feel that Holden was a little
>irresponsible of him. Then set upon offering more of a "guide" with the 
Glass
>stories.  
>     

Interesting point.  I can't imagine anyone thinking that Catcher is an 
irresponsible book in any way.  Anyone who looks to any media for 
instruction is a fool.  Most Christians don't even use the Bible for 
instruction; they let the Interpreters give them instruction.  We can 
look to the critics as our Priests, but then again--I quit the Church 
for a reason, and I ain't about to get back on that boat, especially 
when it comes to JD.


Brendan

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