Subject: Letter2Holden on his Fiftieth
From: Will Hochman (hochman@southernct.edu)
Date: Mon Jul 09 2001 - 06:59:41 GMT
Dear Holden,
Everyone is making a very big deal about your 50th anniversary. You
came to us as a sixteen year old boy in l951 and you have remained a
perfect pain in the ass. You just made the "great" social critic
George Will whine about your childish effects on boomers. Several
years ago you made Harold Bloom, the self-proclaimed king of
criticism edit a book of essays totally about you because you are
such a character. And you've made millions of readers see themselves
in new ways that it's no wonder that so many of us found literature's
first door being courteously held open by you. To stop and say
thanks, even if your author makes that something less than it could
be, seems like something you would appreciate.
Everyone knows your author wants little part of any thanks offered,
and I am trying to respect thatŠbut you, Holden, I at least know well
enough to believe you might like to hear about how helpful you've
been. You see, I'm editing this book with Chris Kubica, and it's
called Letters to J.D. Salinger. I think you'd like it more than
anyone since it's based on your idea of just up and writing an author
when so moved. Before wincing at people taking you too seriously,
don't worry. This collection of letters doesn't really go out to Mr.
Salinger. Most of the contributors (ranging from writers like W.P.
Kinsella, Tom Robbins and Melanie Rae Thon to kids like you) are
really talking about how literature has made them a bit more of who
they are, and they are willing to stop between the covers of Letters
to J.D. Salinger to send an intelligent and interesting smile your
way.
Me too, Holden. Want a laugh? My dog's name is Holden Caulfield in
honor of you. He's an old Springer Spaniel and whenever folks stop
to pet him, they ask me how old my "puppy" isŠsort of like you, eh,
Holden? Want another laugh? I got an NYU Ph.D. writing about
readers responding to you and now I spend a lot of time on
"Bananafish," an email discussion list about you. But computers seem
out of your time, even if this group of readers really does love you
quite a bit. You started it Holden, don't blame me. I just hung on
to the carousel and I'm still reaching for the literary ring. I don't
need it to be gold...I just care that it's made with a bit of you.
In the fifty years you've been around, your author has not given you
the family life you deserved. But let's not talk about him now.
Besides, you may not need as much from your parents now since you are
so much older and always knew more than most the importance of a good
brother or sister. Hey Holden, do you know how many girls and boys
are your siblings now? Generations of millions of readers relate to
youŠthey welcome you, understand youŠand often grow better because of
you. Spirit brother or character, your work is good and is still
going strong.
But let's face it Holden-growing up is hard to do and now, growing
old sucks. So here's the deal. You gave us some light in the dark
space of adolescence and now I'm wondering if you can do the same for
being old. Surely you've had time to meditate on just what it means
to be "Old Holden"? Ok, ok,ŠI'm just kidding and I wasn't going to
fool around like that when I started this letter, but you have to
know that you made do it. Let's leave it at that Holden-fifty years
or the next time I read your classic pages, you will always bring out
the kid in me, and that's enough to make it through any age.
With all my love and not too much squalor, Will
-- Will Hochman Assistant Professor of English & Composition Co-Coordinator Southern Connecticut State University 501 Crescent St, New Haven, CT 06515 203 392 5024 http://www.southernct.edu/~hochman/willz.html
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