Re: Bases and Faces
AntiUtopia@aol.com
Wed, 06 Oct 1999 12:43:05 -0400 (EDT)
In a message dated 10/6/99 3:23:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
verona_beach@hotpop.com writes:
<< Really? I've always found it about as straightforward as a Salinger story
could be - basically it's a coming of age story, with corresponding loss of
innocence, awakening of sexual awareness, etc etc. What exactly about it
has given you trouble?
Camille >>
Because there has to be a point in writing a coming of age story ;) Or a
point to the loss of innocence, and sexual awakening. To me, a story that
depicts those things and goes no further is a waste of time. I've
experienced all that and am aware it happens, thank you very much. So what?
Now, if the story frames what's happening within a broader context, like
Catcher does, then it's saying something. I didn't just learn about Holden
when I read Catcher, I learned something about the world Holden confronted
(and, by extension, my own world, to a degree). That's a story that's
meaningful to ME, not just Holden, so one I'd think was worth reading.
And there's the story telling within the story. It should be parallel to the
events of the story on some points -- like a counterpoint or commentary. I
never could see how, though. Your post did provide a direction to look that
I will probably consider next time I reread the story :)
Which won't be any time soon ;)
Jim