tyjen, welcome to the list and you might like to know that your q's are important and often discussed...I think I'll listen to other's answers (with love and squalor!), but also suggest that there's also some pretty good criticism that also addresses your q's. will On Sat, 12 Jul 1997 QNun123456@aol.com wrote: > Hi I'm new to the list! It's great that so many people like me are > interested in J.D. Salinger's writing. The first of his books I read was > "The Catcher in the Rye" and I thought it was the most wonderful book. > Anyhow, I have this question. In "Nine Stories", you know, "A Perfect > Day for Bananafish", Seymour kills himself in the end. I don't really get > that thing with the little girl, either. Why does Seymour kill himself? Any > thoughts? > > Tyjen >