Re: Eric 'n' Seymour


Subject: Re: Eric 'n' Seymour
gauthier@SLU.EDU
Date: Tue Mar 04 1997 - 23:27:44 GMT


> From: Steve Gallagher <sgallagher@lasersedge.net>
> Subject: Eric 'n' Seymour
>
> I sent this last night but it didn't make it. Probably fate, but I'm trying
> again anyway.
>
> Attention: Paul Gauthier
> THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK
>
> I just have to say, Paul, I think you've got your head stuck in the toilet
> on this one.

Steve, I'd much prefer this sort of response (general disagreement) than
simply being accused of homophobia just because I'm interested in the
possibility that Eric is gay. >

>
> > An interesting exercise would be an attempt to describe any one of JDS's
> > secondary characters, *really*--in your own words, what they look like, who
> > they are, based only on the superficial details provided by the author. I
> > think you'll find that any physical and psychological descriptions you
> > muster up will be complete fabrications based entirely on your imagination.
>
then, Matt Kozusko replied for me,

> Salinger would be a very poor writer if his readers could not describe his
> characters' psyches, appearances, and generals "characteristics."
>
> Re Eric: if Eric's peculiar (stylized, even) vernacular is *not* in part
> a suggestion about his sexual orientation, then what is it? What *does*
> it suggest? Is it entirely neutral? Is it the only phatic space in all
> of fiction? Similarly, how do you read Eric's intense association with
> _Beauty andthe Beast_?
>

Steve also wanted to know where I felt the epiphany takes place in the
story--within a character or within the reader's mind ("Banafish").

As I've tried to suggest before, I think it takes place in Ginnie's
mind. At the beginning of the story, she wants to collect on Selena for
the cab fare. By the end of the story, she does not want the money.
Instead, she compares the chicken sandwich she received from Franklin
with a dead Easter chick. My feeling is that she has trouble throwing
them away because she feels sorry for them. She feels sorry for Franklin
(and by extension Selena and Eric) because they live in a loveless
society, and are used by others. Ginnie recognizes her role in the
"using" of people, and refuses to continue doing so. The epiphany should
then extend to the reader.
     A number of people seem to think that her actions are motivated by
some sort of sexual interest in Franklin (who is kind of funny looking,
btw). I'll admit that possibility, but I don't see where the narration
ever makes that any clearer than my reading of the story. Because if so,
she somehow equates her love with a dead (and, in my opinion, pitiable)
Easter chick.

Paul Gauthier
gauthier@slu.edu

p.s. Steve, you are definitely correct about how Nicholson is lounging
on a chair. Also, I've hacked out a lot of your other querries. If you
want me to answer particular questions, tell me. They seemed mostly
rhetorical--the blue/yellow swimsuit, for instance.
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