Re: A Very Consequential Party, 1926


Subject: Re: A Very Consequential Party, 1926
From: Cecilia Baader (ceciliabaader@yahoo.com)
Date: Mon Aug 20 2001 - 23:36:36 GMT


--- Matthew Jones <columnatedruinsdomino@hotmail.com> wrote:
> It's a damned good story, no matter what the
> detractors say. My love for J.D. Salinger, via his contributions, is
> an absolute certainty!

Agreed. I too have always liked the story. It certainly will never top
my favorites list, but in many ways, I've always believed that Hapworth
is key to understanding the Seymour Myth. (Geez. I sound like Joseph
Campbell here.)

> Firstly, as Will Hochman declared, Alsen's is an excellent analysis. I
> heartily recommend it to JDS readers who are after an in-depth
> exploration of the religious aspects of the stories.
> I hope the book is still in print, as it certainly deserves to be.

Again, agreed. Although, unfortunately, the book is no longer in print,
you can find it at most university libraries. Although there were one
or two cases where I thought that he was reaching to make a connection
where perhaps there was none, I did find it illuminating. A fine, fine
read.

> Secondly, I'll move on to some of the questions that are raised by
> Alsen's study. A principle concern of mine (and Alsen)
> is "Do we have all of the Seymour stories?"

Why no, of course we do not. And I think that his reason for not
publishing them is rather clear: he doesn't want to deal with the
literary world, the hobnobbing at New York City cocktail parties with
the same folks who are going to turn around and stab you in the back
with their bitter words. He's made his place in history, and I think
he's decided that we can wait until he's gone for the rest.

I like your story about Walt and Waker. Actually, it's Waker I want to
understand, Mrs. Glass's only "truly lighthearted son".

Regards,
Cecilia.
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