Re: Seymour shoots Muriel?
SGallagher (sgallagher@lasersedge.net)
Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:10:40 +0000
Matt Kozusko wrote:
>
> Do look at this last paragraph (I can't quote it, of course). The
> narrator provides us with carefully ambiguous information down to the last
> four words. A psychologically unstable person plays with a little girl,
> insults someone in an elevator, goes to his room, takes out his gun,
> checks the magazine, cocks the gun, sits on a bed, looks at his wife, aims
> the pistol, and shoots....who?
Marvelous post, MK.
I (as a first time reader) was surprised by Seymour's suicide. I did not see
it coming, and it seems clear - especially after rereading the story - that
that was Salinger's intention. It's possible to retrace my steps and discover
clues that I see as forshadowing for a psychologically unstable action to
come, but not suicide. I've always felt that this is what makes the story so
brilliant: On the page there is no epiphany, but with four words Salinger
lifts it from the story and leaves it rattling between the reader's ears,
transcending the form.
--
Steve Gallagher