J.D. Salinger reminds me to read The Catcher in the Rye again. It's my ten year reunion for this one.
A fellow in eighth grade encouraged my fledgling peek at The Catcher in the Rye. He wanted to become Holden Caulfield and thought of me as his sister, Phoebe. I had deeper aspirations for him but played along in case he might reconsider.
He quoted lines of the text and tried on Holden's ideals.
His voice quivered when he recounted the first time Holden runs into the F-word. This occurs in a stairwell of his little sister's school. My friend felt a similiar concern that nasty kids would explain it to the naive ones in a way that would taint them forever. Then they would see the world as dangerous.
Where Holden imagines the word on his gravestone, my friend wanted to glamorize it with a new meaning in writing. He tried a variety of poetic slants and repetitions, sounding it out in whispers and screams. It always appeared with the same intensity and meaning to my tender ears. Even then I questioned its literary ability.
Five years later I read the story again and marveled at how Salinger used the F word. I never see it written without referring back to his phrasing. If you want to use it, read Salinger. Make it purposeful. Give it an opportunity to shock, surprise and provide enlightenment the way it does for Holden.
Some writers who use it for shock value in dialogue believe repetition works. Once again, compare any writing to the scene in "Catcher."
If you want to make a point with the F word, make it work for you.
His voice quivered when he recounted the first time Holden runs into the F-word. This occurs in a stairwell of his little sister's school. My friend felt a similiar concern that nasty kids would explain it to the naive ones in a way that would taint them forever. Then they would see the world as dangerous.
Where Holden imagines the word on his gravestone, my friend wanted to glamorize it with a new meaning in writing. He tried a variety of poetic slants and repetitions, sounding it out in whispers and screams. It always appeared with the same intensity and meaning to my tender ears. Even then I questioned its literary ability.
Five years later I read the story again and marveled at how Salinger used the F word. I never see it written without referring back to his phrasing. If you want to use it, read Salinger. Make it purposeful. Give it an opportunity to shock, surprise and provide enlightenment the way it does for Holden.
Some writers who use it for shock value in dialogue believe repetition works. Once again, compare any writing to the scene in "Catcher."
"I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another F You_on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldn't come off. It's hopeless, anyway. If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn't rub out even half the 'F You' signs in the world. It's impossible."
Think about the first book that had an impact. Read it again and notice your current reactions.
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