Analysis Of `` For Esme, With Love And Squalor ``

In his short story, â€Å"For Esmà ©, with Love and Squalor,† J.D. Salinger utilizes the function of secondary characters to expose the correlation between the contrasting ideas of idealism and cynicism. The three minor characters of Esmà ©, her brother Charles, and Corporal Z all play different but necessary roles in the mental and emotional development of the main character, Sergeant X. While the characters of Esmà © and Charles represent the best traits of humanity, their lifestyles contrast that of Corporal Z, a pessimistic and rude war veteran. After Salinger sets a standard of ideal human nature through the two siblings and their interaction with Sergeant X, he purposefully introduces Corporal Z into the story to help demonstrate the differences between the personalities of idealistic and cynical people; in doing so, Salinger reveals relationships between youthful innocence and idealism, as well as arrogance and cynicism. Esmà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s commendable traits, such as her compassion and sophistication, reflect her perfection in the eyes of Sergeant X. From the time she first talks to him at the restaurant, Esmà © puts forth effort to develop a friendship and unique bond with the struggling soldier. After Esmà © comments to Sergeant X, â€Å"I d be extremely flattered if you d write a story exclusively for me sometime,† she reminds him, It doesn t have to be terribly prolific! Just so that it isn t childish and silly. [†¦] I prefer stories about squalor (151). Other than showing her friendlyShow MoreRelatedSummary Of Salinger s The Doctrine Of Love 1994 Words   |  8 PagesShort Story Analysis Paper The majority of his works, J.D. Salinger has implemented many replicated themes. Love is possibly the most prevalent throughout all of his writings and is displayed in such works as â€Å"A Perfect Day for Bananafish,† â€Å"The Laughing Man,† â€Å"For Esme—With Love and Squalor,† â€Å"Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes,† â€Å"Teddy,† and â€Å"Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut.† Salinger uses the element of Love to bring about more meaning in the stories and depth to the each of their plots, and does soRead MoreNine Stories2223 Words   |  9 PagesAnalysis: Nine Stories by JD Salinger For those like me who couldnt find any insightful analyses about this collection on the Internet: Youre welcome. I have finally figured out what this is about (I think). So the fancy book club met a couple weeks ago to discuss Nine Stories by JD Salinger. Much despair was had because of our varied and confused insights into Salingers stories. Was Seymour a pedophile? Whats up with the random last line in Just Before the War with the Eskimos? How shouldRead MoreMy Reflection On My Job1500 Words   |  6 Pagesupon these two sections, both of which required restraint on my part to stop me from taking an obscene number of books home. [gallery ids=4545,4546 type=square columns=2] I dodged the pictured criticism for now (the one about For Esme with Love and Squalor was especially difficult to leave behind), but I did pick up some on Frost--in the hopes it would help me further my understanding of Home Burial--along with item I the Wilson play that was the impetus for my journey. On my way out of