Franny not pregnant

Laura Boyce (laboyce@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu)
Fri, 01 Aug 1997 15:43:48 -0400 

(My apologies at the outset for probably bringing up a topic already
resolved in the bananafish list).  

When I took a creative writing class years ago, I spoke with the
professor one day after class about my love of Salinger and especially
_Franny and Zooey_ (however we pronounce his name).  I spoke of Franny
and the Jesus Prayer and her "break down".  The professor came back with
(paraphrased of course, this WAS years ago) "many critics think that
Franny was pregnant and that is what this is really about". 

I got so angry at this professor and lost complete respect for them that
I dropped the course.  (Never taking a creative writing class again). 
(My fault, not hers).   

To clarify, or at least to finally get to the Point of all this:  It
made me mad that a professor who was familiar with Salinger could even
THINK and AGREE with the idea that Franny got herself pregnant.  As if
she needed a REASON to begin searching for some kind of ANSWER to the
religious life.  Why couldn't she think it on her own?  Why did a
pregnancy have to be the impetus of a life with more meaning than a
world of phonies?  How could my wonderful Franny get herself knocked
up???!!!

Okay so she WAS getting physically ill in the restaurant.  And she said
she hadn't been herself lately.  But anyone who really gets WORKED UP
over something can be made physically ill.  I get myself really worked
up over things and make myself sick too.  If I can, obviously Franny
can.  I thought that (the professor) saying Franny was pregnant was
condescending; I thought (please forgive me here for what I am about to
say) that a MAN come up with that idea.  As if a FEMALE couldn't come up
with SEARCHING on their own.  As if only something AMISS (pregnancy in
this case) could only bring it on in the life of a girl. I was
affronted.  To say the least.  

Now to the present:  I re-read "Franny" last week.  And I noticed many
allusions to what I thought were "relations of the sexual kind".  Could
Franny have been poregnant?  (I don't have the book here with me at work
or I would quote them here).  My G-d, I thought!  Have I become like
that horrible professor years ago?!  The one that thought a female
couldn't SEARCH without a good reason?!  Have I lost my idealism?  Did
it slip away with my adolescence?  I hope not, g-d I hope not.  

Any thoughts?

(I have more to say on this, but I will keep it in short attention span
postings!).  (If no one responds, I will respond to myself :) ).  

laura
mailto:laboyce@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu