I'm a little behind on the discussion, but I wanted to put my 2 cents in on Muriel. I think that Seymour becomes enamoured with her and eventually weds her, because she is a child. The mother who is always in the picture plus the extent of her interests coupled with Seymour's (almost) worshipping of children; I think might explain the fascination. The line or phrase that rings most like the Salinger that I like to think about, is the line in De-Daumier Smith when Smith wants to pick up Mme. Yashoto's heart out of her body and warm it like he would a bird.