Re: Rambling on Seymour(s)
Josh Feldmeth (sportcarrier@earthlink.net)
Tue, 15 Jul 1997 12:43:24 -0700
David:
I agree with your seymour "discrepancy" theory between earlier and later
characterizations. I have a couple minor observations to add:
1. The Seymour of "Hapworth", although writen later, is much
younger than in "Bananfish." And even though JDS's juvinille characters
often defy youth, they don't necessarily transcend it.
2. Other Seymours, say of S:AI, come from the mouth (or pen) of
Buddy who can conceivably inflect his own take on Seymour.
Add Suicide: I was re-reading short stories yesterday (PMGME, Wiggly)
and I was re-impressed with the darkish cloud of self-doubt and futility
that seems to hang over the adults. Seymour in "Bananfish" is a marked
departure, ostensibly "younger" and "brighter" than other adults. I
have always thought that Seymour somehow slipped through the cracks into
an adult world that opposes, or even defiles, his nature and values.
With that in mind, it is then easier to justify his cavilier suicide.
Cheers
Josh
David L. White wrote:
>
> I'm finding this thread very interesting. As much as I love the Glass
> family stories (F&Z is my favorite book of all time, and I even like
> Hapworth) I almost feel as if the Seymour of the later stories (especially
> "Hapworth") blunts the impact of "Bananafish". Does anyone else agree?
> The Seymour of "Bananafish" is such an appealing, yet oddly threatening,
> enigma that it doesn't seem to jibe with later descriptions of him.
> David W.