Re: Pilgrim Books

Robert Morris (winboog@gis.net)
Tue, 13 Oct 1998 09:14:49 -0400 

> 
> >Are there any atheists among you who are bothered by "all this talk
about
> >Jesus" in Faz?
> 
> i just find the jesus talk curious. considering the jewish influence, and
> the zen influence, i find it interesting that jd can write a story that
> ends so astoundingly of a christian note.
> 

   One of the main points of Salinger's theology is to point out the lack
of differences between the religions. Zooey's admonishment to Franny about
going straight from her St Francis view of Christ to the Bhudda is not an
endorsement of christianity, it's pointing out her lack of understanding.
Seymour's invoking of Christ is not really so " Christian" he's reverting
to the old " seeing christbeing a Christian" The Jewish or Zen influences
are no more prevalent than the Christian influence if you really look into
what's being said. JD is all about trying to get us to unlearn the
differences.




> i like the way it has a nice neat ending which, although mentioning
jesus,
> doesn't reek of piousness (piety?). as far as i recall, s:ai ends
> similarly? the part i'm thinking of is the comment buddy makes about all
> his irritating writing students being his sisters...

    Seymour's ending with the whole, " They shine with the light of the
misinformation of the ages thing, but oh how they shine." ( bad paraphrase
here, forgive me. I'm trying to be quick and getting up to get the book
with make this adventure a lot longer) Is one of my favorite pieces from
any book anywhere.  This sure is another example of the Christ
consciousness in the real world.

   I've often wondered why folks who have no interest whatsoever in
spiritual matters would be interested in these books.( the Glass stories,
the rest of you  can have that snotty Holden Caufield as far as I'm
concerned.) I've also wondered if this doesn't have at least something to
do with the author's withdrawal. Did he become tired of people questioning
the singular religious bent of his stories? Did the clamor for another
witty, disenfranchised youth, in a red hat contribute to his need to stop
sharing what was really closest to his heart with us? Just something I've
often wondered, and it occurs to me every time I see posts like this
questioning the spiritual content of our good friends the Glasses.

                     Robert Morris
                   winboog@gis.net

now playing-Bob Dylan, Live 1966 ( which is completely mind boggling good
for all the Zimmy lurkers out there.)