Re: Teddy
Ahimsa2000 (Ahimsa2000@aol.com)
Mon, 05 Jan 1998 21:19:09 -0500 (EST)
OK< I have to jump in here for the first time. I'm "Ahimsa2000" and have just
subscribed to this very enjoyable list, although my daughter has been a
subscriber for quite a while. You see, I'm probably older than most of you and
have been reading Salinger (continuously??) for about 30 years. I don't have
time to send a very long message right now but here are my thoughts about the
Teddy-in-the-swimming-pool question:
I think it's a question that doesn't have to be -- or maybe shouldn't be --
asked. The ambiguity is the point, as in "what is the sound of one hand
clapping?" there is no cut and dried answer to any of your questions, I
believe. Maybe Teddy jumped, maybe he was pushed. Maybe there was water in the
pool, maybe there wasn't (although on this latter point I think JDS is pretty
clear: there wasn't.) I think JDS means for us to think about these things in
a Zen-like way that enlarges our consciousness, not to get that specific about
concrete (pun unintended) points.
Does anyone agree? Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet so many Salinger lovers.
Hope you're all vegans, or at least vegetarians, too! I'm looking forward to
reading your responses to my response.