Post #1

Cassie Stumer
2.20.08
Block E


American Author Proposal


I was immediately drawn to the works of J.D. Salinger, as I believe Salinger is a perfect candidate for the American Author project. Salinger is widely known for the classic, The Catcher and the Rye, which brought him to fame after it was published in 1951. Salinger meets all the requirements for the American Author project. Born in New York, Salinger is an American author with a substantial body of work. Although he is known for The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger had many other critically acclaimed short stories, novels, and novellas. Works such as, Raise High the Roof Beam, Franny and Zooey, and A Perfect Day for Bananafish.

Without a doubt, Salinger’s works were important to the development of American Literature. His style of writing was very unique when it was published, and because he wrote predominantly about youth, he appealed to adolescent readers and adults alike. Salinger’s writing technique was different, and allowed the reader, particularly younger readers, to relate to the piece of work. One of J.D. Salinger’s critics, Alfred Kazin, described Salinger‘s understanding of youth like this; “a consciousness [among youths] that he speaks for them and virtually to them, in a language that is peculiarly honest and their own, with a vision of things that capture their most secret judgments of the world.”

I chose J.D. Salinger for this project not only because he meets the criteria for this project, but because his style of writing is unique and well-formatted. I love the quick-witted, sharp dialogue often seen in his works. I also am curious about this authors infamous “reclusive” nature. Salinger has not been interviewed since 1980, and it would be interesting to find possible parallels between Salingers life and the lives of some of his characters.

I feel Salingers works would enable me to write a literary, thesis-based argument over the course of an essay. Much of Salingers works appear simple, many of his novels being short, and the dialogue snappy. I never finished The Catcher in the Rye, but as I read it I knew the story was teeming with underlying and reoccurring themes. Each of Salingers works could have a common reoccurring theme, upon which I could base my argument.

I started to read The Catcher in the Rye years ago, but some odd circumstance left it unfinished. I remember thinking that this book was one of the first of it’s kind. Salinger was one of the first authors to put young adults center stage an a realistic way, and he set a precedent for books targeted at this age group for years to come. I’ve only seen a glimpse of Salingers work, and this is why I am interested in doing in depth reading and research on his life and literary works for the American Author Project.

I plan to first read Salingers novel, Franny and Zooey, which was published in 1961. I will then to read his collection of short stories, Nine Stories. Which includes well-known classics such as A Perfect Day for Bananafish, and For Esme, with Love and Squalor. Last, but certainly not least, I will finally finish the must-read classic The Catcher and the Rye.

J.D. Salinger is not only intriguing, he also meets every requirement for the American Author Project. He is, of course, American, has a substantial body of work, and I’m sure by reading this selection of his work I will be able to create a literary, thesis-based argument. I would be content to spend a significant amount of time and energy studying the works of J.D. Salinger.

Post #3

Franny and Zooey
pages 35-76

In this next section of Franny and Zooey, The chapter entitled "Franny," ends abruptly. Franny was describing her religious book to Lane, and when she gets up to leave for a moment, she faints. The chapter ends with Franny, alone, looking up at the ceiling, and repeating her prayer to herself. Salinger describes the scene;

"Alone, Franny lay quite still, looking at the ceiling. Her lips began to move forming soundless words, and they continued to move."

The next section of the book, "Zooey," follows the next main character's actions. Zooey is Franny's older brother, and in the beginning of the section Franny and Zooey's family life and childhood is throughly explained through letters and Zooey's thoughts. We are told that Franny and Zooey were both children of the esteemed Glass family, along with five other extremely gifted children. The children were famous for their intelligence, and their quirky knowledge was often showcased on a popular radio show called "It's a wise child."

Zooey is introduced as an actor, and the other Glass children are introduced via footnote. Salinger continues to use letters to further the development of characters and plot. In this section, there is little dialogue between characters, but there is still progression in the story, which is another prevalent trait in Salinger's writing.

Post #2

Franny and Zooey
pages 1-34

In the first section of Franny and Zooey, entitled "Franny," Salinger introduces one of the central characters in the novel. Salinger, rather than describing Franny, gives intricate details unveiling her personality and thoughts through letters she writes and dialogue between her and other characters. In regards to plot, in this section, Franny writes letters to her boyfriend, Lane, from her dorm room at school. She also goes to visit him, and they discuss a variety of things. It is apparent through their conversation that Lane sees Franny as acting odd, and she even states, "All I know is I'm losing my mind." (p.29). Franny also mentions that she has been reading a religious book, which she describes as "terribly fanatical," and tells of a new method of prayer Franny seems to be particularly interested in.

I chose this passage on page 25 as a representative example of Salinger's writing style.

"Oh I remember..Listen don't hate me because I can't remember some person immediately. Especially when they look like everybody else, and talk and dress and act like everybody else." Franny made her voice stop. it sounded to her cavilling and bitchy, and she felt a wave of self-hatred that, quite literally, made her forehead begin to perspire again.

I chose this passage because it is a good display of Salinger's style, including the characters inner-thoughts without laying out every detail of their personality. Through this passage, we can assume that Franny has some insecurities and anxieties about her own personality faults, but Salinger never describes her in this way, because he shows it through her actions.