Brother's keeper was a very important element in J.D. Salinger's writing even though it was not used as much as the other themes. In "The Catcher in the Rye" Holden Caulfield chases everyone who cares for him away, except for his younger sister, Phoebe. Without Phoebe in the back of his mind, Holden would have ran away to start a new life. After talking to his sister, he knew that he could not do that because he would not have his sister with him. Phoebe is the only person that Holden cares about. While roaming in NYC, Holden thinks of buying his sister a gift because he doesn't want to come home empty handed. However, he does not even consider gifts for anyone else, including his mother and father.
Another story that the theme of brother's keeper was prevalent was Franny and Zooey. In this story, Franny is going through a mid- life crisis and needs someone to talk to. Franny goes on a date with her boyfriend and is still not comfortable enough to talk to him. At home, she has a nice long talk with her brother Zooey who makes her feel much more comfortable. Zooey says exactly what Franny needs to hear and it makes her feel much better. Zooey tells her to read their late brother's diary which directs her to follow "the fat lady". So even though her brother is not there physically, he is still looking out for her and giving her advice.
In Nine Stories, there is not much room to have themes such as brother's keeper. However, in "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", a little girl gets separated from her mother at the beach and Seymour comes up to her and makes her feel comfortable by telling her a story and then helps her find her way back to her mother. Seymour did not do much but it made that little girl's day much better.
The last story that reveals brother's keeper is Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction. In this story, Buddy Glass, the narrator, is talking about his late brother, Seymour, who was clearly his idol and who he misses dearly. But, although he's gone, Seymour is giving Buddy much of his pride because Buddy is proud to be the brother of such a courageous man.
Brother's keeper is a very effective theme with the structure that Salinger uses in his writing. Most of the stories J.D. Salinger writes uses the Glass family. In this family, there is a solider who is a role model to the whole family and who ends up passing away. This is a great character to have looking over the family and others as well.
Another story that the theme of brother's keeper was prevalent was Franny and Zooey. In this story, Franny is going through a mid- life crisis and needs someone to talk to. Franny goes on a date with her boyfriend and is still not comfortable enough to talk to him. At home, she has a nice long talk with her brother Zooey who makes her feel much more comfortable. Zooey says exactly what Franny needs to hear and it makes her feel much better. Zooey tells her to read their late brother's diary which directs her to follow "the fat lady". So even though her brother is not there physically, he is still looking out for her and giving her advice.
In Nine Stories, there is not much room to have themes such as brother's keeper. However, in "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", a little girl gets separated from her mother at the beach and Seymour comes up to her and makes her feel comfortable by telling her a story and then helps her find her way back to her mother. Seymour did not do much but it made that little girl's day much better.
The last story that reveals brother's keeper is Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction. In this story, Buddy Glass, the narrator, is talking about his late brother, Seymour, who was clearly his idol and who he misses dearly. But, although he's gone, Seymour is giving Buddy much of his pride because Buddy is proud to be the brother of such a courageous man.
Brother's keeper is a very effective theme with the structure that Salinger uses in his writing. Most of the stories J.D. Salinger writes uses the Glass family. In this family, there is a solider who is a role model to the whole family and who ends up passing away. This is a great character to have looking over the family and others as well.