Re: Teddy

Malcolm Lawrence (malcolm@wolfenet.com)
Mon, 05 Jan 1998 19:01:44 -0800

Ahimsa2000 wrote:

> I think it's a question that doesn't have to be -- or maybe shouldn't be --
> asked. The ambiguity is the point, as in "what is the sound of one hand
> clapping?" there is no cut and dried answer to any of your questions, I
> believe. Maybe Teddy jumped, maybe he was pushed. Maybe there was water in the
> pool, maybe there wasn't (although on this latter point I think JDS is pretty
> clear: there wasn't.) I think JDS means for us to think about these things in
> a Zen-like way that enlarges our consciousness, not to get that specific about
> concrete (pun unintended) points.
>
> Does anyone agree? Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet so many Salinger lovers.
> Hope you're all vegans, or at least vegetarians, too!  I'm looking forward to
> reading your responses to my response.

Go straight to the head of the class. Salinger uses plot as a tool, never as a
means in itself. If you don't understand the concept of one hand clapping, you'll
never understand the ending of Teddy, or pretty much any of the other Nine Stories
(at least)...