Subject: Re: Cheever and Salinger
From: Will Hochman (hochmanw1@owl.southernct.edu)
Date: Fri Jun 21 2002 - 10:44:20 EDT
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Jim Rovira makes good sense...associations and literary allusions are
created by authors. For me and most on this list, Salinger's work
creates strong possibilities. I respect the effort to imagine
literary associations and allusions but the real thinking work (and
fun!) is to prove how they logically and creatively work within the
fiction to connect us to literature in general.
Judiasm is one of Salinger's least developed religious directions,
but I loved the way Cecillia could connect the kabbala and
"soulsickness." I am a Jew and think the kabbala is one of the most
interesting parts of the religion, but I don't think Salinger
explored Judiasm deeply and I've often wondered why. I wondered if he
ever mentioned the kabbala in print...maybe in
Hapworth?...dunno...but I think he may have grown up as a Jew with
something of an attitude to assimilate into secular culture. Judiasm
seems to be part of the Glass family, but it's never at the "lox and
bagels" level. "Down At the Dinghy" is the only story I can think of
that really focuses on a Jewish point in Salinger's work. I don't
know if there are any direct allusions to Hemingway in Salinger's
fiction. None come to mind but others may know and I'd like to! All
this to say, when I add up Judiasm and Hemingway in Salinger's work,
the proof to make 6 bananafish into Hemingway's 6 trout is
lacking...but I'm still listening.
will
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