Thursday, September 3, 2015

Questions concerning APDFB and the Technique of Zen


1.      Why does J. D. Salinger merely hint at Seymour's unstable mental condition in the beginning of APDFB? Is it to build tension? Or to illustrate character gradually? What characteristics of Seymour's words or actions indicate his precarious mental state?

2.      Is Seymour’s description of a bananafish's activities like a modern Zen Koan? Does it represent the struggle between following one’s nature and becoming trapped by one's surroundings? Does Seymour feel trapped by the circumstances surrounding him?

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