Salinger & the War
Lomanno (lomanno@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 08 Oct 1998 08:42:36 -0400
Jake wrote:
> If there's any hope that this might turn into a thread, i'd
> like to signal your attention to a couple key topics: Am I a phony
> because I'm approaching Salinger's work in a scholarly fashion? Is there
> a connection between the war and Salinger? I mean a really strong one,
> something that can't be ignored?
I, too, am considering a thesis topic on Salinger (albeit I've got a
year to decide), but I'm coming at it from a different perspective.
Since Salinger would vehemently object to someone probing into his
private life (how degrading to have someone drudge up your hospital
days), I'm going to concentrate ONLY on the texts themselves. Yes, this
is possible, though not particulary easy.
I've recently been considering Salinger in a Formalist light. Although
it's obvious that his work was inspired by his life experience, I think
he's such a brilliant writer that it's entirely possible to view his
texts as autonomous works of art, focusing on individual words, imagery,
allusions, patterns, etc. I tend to think Salinger himself may not mind
this approach quite as much.
To answer your question: NO, you certainly are not "phony" for wanting
to see Salinger in a scholarly way. He doesn't get enough credit for his
talent as it is (I've NEVER read Salinger for a college course, or high
school for that matter). I think his work deserves some thought, some
research, and even some criticism. I do NOT think, however, that his
personal life deserves the same. But, of course, that's up to you.
--Kari