Re: second opinion

Win Boogie (WinBoogie@aol.com)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 20:03:04 -0400 (EDT) 

In a message dated 98-04-29 18:00:58 EDT, you write:

<< 
 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. >>
   I look to a lot of media for instruction; Dylan, Picasso, Beatles,
Fitzgerald, Sayles, Christ,  the list is nearly endless. I think most of my
instruction comes from media, actually. Christ also said to call no man fool,
and you can find a tidy view on that in the lovely Glass stories. 
    I have met hordes of people who upon reading Catcher go out to find a Red
Hunting Cap, and start saying things like "old", and "the thing about it is.."
I'm becoming less and less convinced that we aren't surrounded by them here on
this list. I posted something a little while ago in which I came out as a
"Franny".  I am a Franny, but I wish I was anyone but. So i'm familiar with
identifying with a negative character.  
    Of course Holden is right about the things he's railing about (I said that
in my initial post on this matter)  but he's killing himself. Even the people
that are trying to reach out to him with love, he is running from. As far as
his love of his sister or children in general; Good old Phoebe is one of the
ones trying to tell him to straighten up and fly right. He doesn't even see
the children as they really are. Holden depresses and scares the hell out of
me. That isn't what makes me like Catcher less than the Glass saga, it's the
lack of self awareness Holden exhibits and embraces. I sometimes wonder if
Holden isn't just bitter about some of the things he's going on about. Like
the former classmate he meets for drinks, he is at the same time reviling in
awe of his sexual conquests. To put it simply, I think the Glasses are robbing
the poor box while saying the prayer, Holden is just robbing the poor box. 
     I'm sure more will follow, and perhaps it will get clearer in my head as
the conversation moves on.
                             Go with God,
                                    Robert