Re: Mr. Antolini
AntiUtopia@aol.com
Thu, 04 Dec 1997 11:31:57 -0500 (EST)
In a message dated 97-12-04 11:07:57 EST, you write:
<< I think Mr. Antonelli developed something of a crush on Holden
which may have been fueled by echoes of his own loneliness, confusion and
lost innocence that he sees in Holden. I will agree that Holden's reaction
is extreme but not unexpected. All teenagers struggle with sexual identity
and any little gesture can be misinterpreted and blown out of proportion.
Peggy>>
eh, I think you're evidence for Antonelli's homosexuality is a bit
tenuous...what you described, particularly the two being in different
rooms....sounds like married life to me :) Are you married? And the kissing
in public thing...different people have different habits, and those who share
habits often do so for different reasons. Some may kiss in public to prove
something (to themselves or to others), some may just be horny and lacking in
restraint, and some may just have come from families that acted that way.
Reading these signs for this meaning generally leads us to see what we are
already looking for. The only way to really trust this type of analysis is
to look for Antonelli type characters throughout Salinger's work and find
commonalities. It's very hard to make valid conclusions based on only one
character in one work.
I agree Antonelli's affection for Holden was fueled by his own loneliness and
lost innocence...but how did he display confusion? Unless you already take
for granted that he was sexually conflicted, which is the point you are
trying to prove.
I think, as before, the text is ambiguous, deliberately, about A, and that
Holden's reaction is the point--and I really like what you said about it.
Jim