Subject: Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts
From: Matt Kozusko (mkozusko@parallel.park.uga.edu)
Date: Fri Feb 18 2000 - 02:17:41 EST
I don't find it helpful to look at "Bananafish" as an evacuated idea
strung with literary devices like so many glowing plastic chili peppers
on a bald Christmas tree. Sounds too much like a separation of form and
content. Indeed, all of JDS's dead poet stories are shot through with
the platonic form of death-of-a-genius-seer, but the fact is, in each
case, the literary devices are exactly what distinguishes one from
another. The "idea" of "Bananafish" and the story itself are two
entirely different things. So which are we looking at--firewood, or a
Christmas tree?
As I said, the list of reasonable interpretations shrinks the more one
knows about Salinger and the Glass family. It is the virgin reader who
is confronted with the richest collection of interpretive choices.
And now, Louise Z., lest the list welcoming committee seem too frigid, I
offer this, by way of atonement: Branagh's adaption of _Love's Labor's_
opened in Germany a few days ago to rabid enthusiasm and the finest of
early reviews.
Glass family deaths come not upon thee,
-- Matt Kozusko mkozusko@parallel.park.uga.edu - * Unsubscribing? Mail majordomo@roughdraft.org with the message * UNSUBSCRIBE BANANAFISH
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