Subject: RE: Review of Salinger: A Biography
From: Mattis Fishman (mattis@argoscomp.com)
Date: Fri May 05 2000 - 09:55:59 GMT
Sean joined the ranks of those who enjoyed Scout's post and added:
>Then there's the religious stuff. Perhaps I'm projecting something into the
>story, but I detected in Zooey a distinct rebellion against all of the piety
>and holiness surrounding Seymour....
It certainly would seem that Zooey's categorization of himself
and Franny as freaks would qualify as a less than whole hearted
acceptance of the education - should I call it indoctrination? -
supplied by his older brothers. Still, he still said those
vows, you know. More importantly, he comes up with the saving
creed in the crisis, a kind of egalitarian, demystified, mysticism,
so while he may be distinctly and emphatically impious, I think
he has a healthy respect for holiness.
To me, part of the craft of the story Zooey, was coming up with
a point of view, and a tone of voice, that could be distinguished
from Buddy, and for that matter the voice of the JDS narrator we've
come to expect in Esme, The Laughing Man, DeDaumier Smith. The
charming, witty, insightful, sensitive type like... like... like Scout!
So with Zooey we are introduced to the (albeit once described as "dreamy")
wise-cracking cynic, who may still be a saint.
Speaking of Salinger's usual tone of voice and those of us who tend
to end up talking like this (and I only meant to compliment you, Scout,
with that mention above), as one who has been chided for being too
twinkly and charming in imitation of the Master, I can only offer
the following observation. Perhaps this is not life imitating art, but the
reverse, namely Salinger has so perfectly managed to capture that
natural - all right, so call it charming too - speech-like manner
that makes us forget that we are reading fiction and not a personal,
intimate letter.
all the best, and have a good weekend,
Mattis
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