Re: the laughing man
Mark Kuhar (mkuhar@mail.ohio.net)
Thu, 08 Jan 1998 19:13:48 -0500
I like to think that Laughing Man is a bit of a parlor trick on Salinger's
part. I believe he was intending to depict what an adult replationship --
with all of its complexities and quirks and positives and negatives --
looks like in the eyes of young boy. As that relationship soured, the story
of the Laughing Man became more grotesque and crazy -- it seemed to mirror
what was going on in The Chief's head. THE JUXTAPOSITION of the Laughing
Man story and the story of the The Chief's relationship with the boys sort
of play off each other. Kind of a new twist on the story within a story
fiction device. That's how I see it. Anyone concur?
>on mon 05 jan peggy f. jean-louis <pjf6868@is.nyu.edu> wrote:
>
>> I've never quite understood "The
>> Laughing Man." No matter how many times I read it, and as much as I like
>> it....I still don't get it. Anybody willing to step up with some
>> interpretations?
>>
>> Peggy
>
>thnk god someone finally spoke up about this. i've listened to you
>people tout the laughing man for a long time, but i've been too shy to
>admit that *i don't understand it*.
>
>i guess i was afraid i'd get a 'duh!' response a la brendan's tidy
>wrapping up of teddy.
>
>but now, the truth is out. i find the laughing man difficult, and i'd
>like it if you all could share your ideas about it.
>
>--
>:helena
>http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/4801/
>
>quote of the week 02 jan 1998:
>
>'if you have scars on your wrists from suicide attempts,
>by all means display them proudly. the same goes for
>bruises, cuts, and track marks. Abscesses, however
>should always be coyly veiled in filmy black fabric.'
>
> - 'makeup tips for the bleak'
> http://www.vamp.org/Gothic/Text/makeup.html