J.D Salinger: Cynicism for the
J.D. Salinger once said, "A confessional passage has probably never been written that didn't stink a little bit of the writer's pride in having given up his pride." This probably best describes Salinger's whole outlook on life. As a very private man, and later a recluse, he refused to give many interviews or even allow a picture of himself on his book jackets. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say this statement was made by, for example, Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in Catcher in the Rye. Is there a contrast though? Salinger never wrote anything from a personally autobiographical point of view but instead used his protagonists' as the canvas for his bitter opinions on society and his individual beliefs. The American novelist and short story writer's scornful cynicism and withdrawn demeanor is heavily imbedded into Caulfield, along with several other characters, making them a literary representation for everything Salinger stands for. More specifically, "Salinger is the master of the memorable detail, the seemingly random gesture, the debris of mundane daily operations" (Hemon 1970). With no centered plot to revolve around, Salinger uses random occurring everyday tasks and events to allow his bitterness towards society to
Maybe through this conclusion, Salinger was mirroring his eventual similar fate through Caulfield. It was as if a fictional character we'd invented had been suddenly supplied with lines invented by himself. And the worst part is, if you go bohemian or something crazy like that, you're conforming just as much as everybody else, only in a different way. " Many of Salinger's characters, predominantly male, have this unique introspectiveness and almost attitude of higher wisdom, rising above conventional knowledge. Like Holden, he was also the manager of the fencing team. You may think there is, but once you get there, when you're not looking, somebody'll sneak up and write 'Fuck you' right under your nose. You can't ever find a place that's nice and peaceful, because there isn't any. "Teddy lingered for a moment at the door, reflectively experimenting with the door handle, turning it slowly left and right.
Common topics in this essay:
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Catcher Rye,
Rye Holden,
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Day Bananafish,
Franny Zooey,
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Acceptance Essays
