Subject: Re: Walt's hand in "Uncle Wiggly" (was Re: Honeymoon?)
From: LR Pearson, Arts 99 (lp9616@bristol.ac.uk)
Date: Tue Oct 17 2000 - 11:32:04 GMT
On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:58:58 CDT Cecilia Baader
<ceciliaann@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you, D. I didn't have the book close to hand and I was interested in
> the details of that scene. The first time that I ran across the possiblity
> of Eloise's pregnancy is on Stephen Foskett's website, where in his summary
> of the different stories, he inserts a throwaway comment that Ramona may be
> Walt Glass's child. It's always puzzled me, though I never have gone
> looking for specific clues. And then Scout's mention made me wonder all
> over again.
>
> There's a connection to the Glass stories in another spot in this story--
> where Eloise mentions that her husband, like Boo Boo's commander, loves that
> crazy book by L. Manning Vines. If she was Walt's girlfriend and he was
> connected to Boo Boo, it's not impossible that they might have known each
> other. Eloise mentions that she's called Fertile Fanny behind her back.
> Why? Surely the people in the neighborhood where she lives wouldn't
> begrudge her this one child? Unless, of course, the circumstances
> surrounding this child's birth are awfully shady. Has this man married her
> as a favor, then? Is Walt's hand on her belly more significant than we
> think? Is he overwhelmed by Joy at the Prospect of becoming a Father and
> needs to balance it, as has been suggested, with pain?
>
> Another thing. Eloise tells her friend that she should never tell a man
> anything about the men in her past. (Good advice, kids.) Make him believe
> that you never loved anyone as much as you love him. Sounds like the voice
> of experience talking to me. Does Eloise's husband have a problem with
> jealousy over his daughter's "real" father? And does Eloise spend her life
> playing it off as if it weren't important? This outpouring of memory must
> be a great relief to her, then.
>
> I suppose I'm just thinking aloud. Comments?
>
> Regards,
> Cecilia.
Given the strong presence of Ramona in the story, which as I remember it
is is almost the counter plot to Eloise's reminiscences (sp?), I can
see where the idea that Ramona is Walt's child comes from, and all your
points seem to ring true, Cecilia. I don't, however, think that Ramona
is Walt's child. One piece of evidence is that Eloise tells her friend
that she looks like Lew. More important to me, though, is the way that
Eloise's experiences with Walt come across as really innocent and
beautiful, things which are totally separated from her life now and
indeed all the petty little aspects of her college days. It would spoil
the story for me if Ramona existed as a reminder of Walt which caused
dissent in Eloise's marriage in the way that you suggest. One iea I
could countenance, however, is that Eloise wishes Ramona were Walt's
child. Like you, I am really just playing with ideas here, I've never
thought about this aspect before.
Incidentally, "Uncle Wiggily" is one of my favourite stories. I have a
special place in my smile creases for Eloise's friend (her name escapes
me) who was a girl "with little or no wherewithal for being left alone
in a room", and I think Eloise's final sobbing appeal "Iwas a nice
girl, wasn't I?" is one of Salinger's finest moments.
Love, Lucy-Ruth
----------------------
LR Pearson, Arts 99
lp9616@bristol.ac.uk
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