Group items tagged

Argument: Salinger's switches between "internal/ external focalization" as a tool to limit the reader from delving into the fictional world of the character.
Claim: The writing creates a sense of urgency for the reader for internal focalization and the opposite for external.

Evidence: "... The Catcher in the Rye: there the use of "internal focalization" puts the reader into Holden Caulfield's mind, creating the impression of a subjective or a "figural" perspective."

Takeuchi successfully provides input on her finding of innocence as a major collective theme throughout Salinger's novels, especially in reference to Seymour. Argument being that everyone has their innocence and is only remembered for their innocence, and that once the innocence of the being is lost, so are they as a whole. therefore a claim made is that once the afflicted sets hands or is first to get to, an innocent, the other persons innocence is lost because of their subjection to a world run off lack of innocence. Support taken from Takeuchi from the novel The Catcher in the Rye is, "The snow was very good for packing. I didn't throw it at anything, though. I started to throw it at a car that was parked across the street. But I changed my mind. The car looked so nice and white. Then I started to throw it at a hydrant, but that looked too nice and white, too. Finally I didn't throw it at anything.(47-48)

Hilda Kirkwood's purpose is to review and talk about the short story called Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger. She explains how Salinger's writing style and techniques add to the overall effect of the short story he wrote. She also touches upon the themes of the story, which I found interesting because it was similar to the themes of the Catcher in the Rye. Kirkwood sets up her criticism in a somewhat organized manner. Her ideas and thoughts are not logically in order, however, they all relate to each other and connect very nicely. The author provides direct quotes from the story to further enhance and help her explanation of the plot and characters. She is able to focus on Salinger's writing style while still be consistent with the specific details from the book. In my opinion I think there is enough evidence to support the author's case. She includes many examples from the story to help support her case on Salinger's techniques as an author. Kirkwood concludes that Salinger is an amazing writer and his writing is unique. Also, the message of Franny and Zooey was to "connect" and somehow the characters weren't able to. Assumptions on the short story may contribute to the author's purpose because the book appeared in the New Yorker, so the author knows the story is worthy writing about. The fact that the author praises Salinger as a writer numerous times throughout the criticism contributes makes the author a little bias. The author is passionate about Salinger's writing style and I can tell simply by her explicit statements on him. I can tell that Kirkwood knows that Salinger is known for writing about being connected because that was his main focus in the Catcher in the Rye.

Argument: Marple argues that there is a similarity between the novels Franny and Zooey and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. She states that since Salinger already incorporated the theme of innocence in The Catcher in the Rye, then it is inevitable for him to input it in his other novels. Also, Salinger is able to portray innocence and growing up in characters such as Holden and Zooey through their actions and decisions. Evidence: "Franny's quest for purity ties Franny and Zooey to a subterranean theme that underlies most of the work Salinger has published during the last twenty-one years" "There is evident, throughout Salinger's writing, a consistent preoccupation with innocence, a preference for the chaste, complemented by the inability of his adult characters to reconcile physical and spiritual love. It is obvious on a re-examination of Salinger's work that his characters are extremely limited in their choice of sexual expression" "There is certain logic in Salinger's choice of an adolescent protagonist. The chastity of adolescence needs little explanation--idealism will suffice" "What is suggested or hinted at in Salinger's earlier work is full grown in his novel the idealization of the celibate, the chaste, and the innocent" "…it is difficult to see how the avoidance of so obvious a part of human life cannot impede the free flow of Salinger's creative life" Thoughts: Even though the criticism states that "Marple offers a generally positive assessment of Franny and Zooey" she is able to support her ideas through examples and direct quotes. I think she makes some valid points on the theme of innocence found in the two stories and I'll be able to use this criticism as support for my paper. The structure of Marple's argument was organized and coherent with the examples. Overall the criticism is useful and reliable.

Ron Evans's purpose is to thoroughly explain Holden as a character in Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. The theme of human connection is apparent in his criticism because he states that Holden is in "search for authentic human contact and love" (Evans). The structure of the argument is very organized and coherent with each other. In the beginning of his argument Evans characterized Holden and talks about how he is a "mythic-quest hero". He also describes Holden as a distraught teen on a journey towards self-discovery and realization. Towards the end Evans connects the theme and an element of plot to Salinger's other pieces of work such as Nine Stories and Franny and Zooey. The evidence provided by the author helps his case due to his specific examples and details. Evans uses a few characters from the novel to further enhance his portrayal of Holden. He concludes that Salinger "captured the attention of a generation of readers seeking reassurance during the rough transition from childhood to adulthood" (Evans). His conclusion adds to his bias since he believes The Catcher in the Rye will be read by most young adult readers. Also, the fact that Evans thinks that Salinger influenced an entire generation contributes to his bias and assumptions.