In a message dated 98-01-19 01:49:59 EST, AntiUtopia@aol.com writes: << And hadn't the thought further occurred to you that Every Main Character in F and Z were Actors? What does that say about their personalities, their speech habits, their mannerisms? I felt--especially in "Zooey" and in his dialog with his mother--that the two were deliberately trying to manipulate each other using the tricks of their trade. >> << If you're going to write about the redemption of the soul I don't think it's humanly possible to do so with any conviction whilst setting your story in the Upper East Side. The stews of St Petersburgh perhaps, or a carpenter's shop in Galilee, or the Gulag Archipelago. But who'd really want a painting of the Resurrection by Warhol ?>> Ok.That first quote I was thinking that that guy is just saying that Salinger is shown within his characters.But then with the 2nd quote and more later on,I find you to be a lot like a few people I have me in my short life.You act like the character's Zooey and Bessie are a piece of work that's easy to achieve.They're not.Try it.This list has talked about the frustrations of saying what you really want to say.And Salinger does it beautifully.He might not think that,and has had those same frustrations then and now with the present.But I don't see how Zooey's wit and understanding cannot entertain anybody past a certain level of thinking.And Bessie's not typical.I really don't think so.It's hard to explain.Those characters are not from any movie.The family's interesting to say in the least.The events and situation.But I like what the characters(especially Zooey)say and feel.I'm glad you got me to write about something to this list.I haven't said anything in awhile.Just been listening.I don't really like what I've said here.I'm sitting here at a computer having trouble writing about this.I can't imagine at this point in my life writing Franny and Zooey.--Jared.