Jerome David Salinger, a writer with a flair for Eastern philosophy who was reputed for creating characters reflecting his own idealism, spent ten years writing The Catcher in the Rye. It was precise to the word, as befit the philosophy of writing that he ardently espoused in later work. It was also effective at touching the hearts of millions, across generation gaps, rendering him a celebrity against his intent. It followed that he became a recluse, refusing to comment on it.
Almost two decades later, another man known for his idealism and his interest in Eastern philosophy, John Lennon, was shot to death by Mark David Chapman. The killer cited The Catcher in the Rye as the main influence upon his thought.
I can think of two possible themes here:
1. No matter how perfectly one phrases one's message, and perhaps to the extent that one does, it will be misinterpreted as lunacy, probably by someone of questionable sanity.
2. Refusing to shed light on one's message, despite the conviction that, if it could be summarised in an interview, two-hundred and seventy-seven pages would not have been necessary, can be fatal.
dm.A.A.
Almost two decades later, another man known for his idealism and his interest in Eastern philosophy, John Lennon, was shot to death by Mark David Chapman. The killer cited The Catcher in the Rye as the main influence upon his thought.
I can think of two possible themes here:
1. No matter how perfectly one phrases one's message, and perhaps to the extent that one does, it will be misinterpreted as lunacy, probably by someone of questionable sanity.
2. Refusing to shed light on one's message, despite the conviction that, if it could be summarised in an interview, two-hundred and seventy-seven pages would not have been necessary, can be fatal.
dm.A.A.
No comments:
Post a Comment