Here’s the second part of Salinger’s “Fat Lady.” [If blasphemous language upsets you, reader discretion is advised.]
I don’t care where an actor acts. It can be in summer stock, it can be over a radio, it can be over television, it can be in a goddam Broadway theatre, complete with the most fashionable, most well-fed, most sunburned-looking audience you can imagine. But I’ll tell you a terrible secret — Are you listening to me? There isn’t anyone out there who isn’t Seymour’s Fat Lady. That includes your Professor Tupper, buddy. And all his goddam cousins by the dozens. There isn’t anyone anywhere that isn’t Seymour’s Fat Lady. Don’t you know that? Don’t you know that goddam secret yet? And don’t you know — listen to me, now — don’t you know who that Fat Lady really is? . . . Ah, buddy. Ah, buddy. It’s Christ Himself. Christ Himself, buddy. [Franny & Zooey]
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Regina Higgins 08.06.09 at 6:11 am
Thanks so much for posting these passages. Heartbreaking beautiful and true.
Franny and Zooey is worth reading for so many reasons, but one of them is to see just how a brother helps his sister out of emotional and spiritual paralysis and into full life. Anyone who hasn’t yet read it, make time to do so!
Paul 08.06.09 at 7:10 am
Regina,
Glad you liked these posts from Salinger. I find his writings almost painfully beautiful. Do you know his “Nine Stories”? I read them with complete admiration. Such mastery convinces me I should never write anything longer than a thank you note.
Paul
Regina Higgins 08.06.09 at 8:03 am
Paul,
Yes, I’ve read and really enjoyed Nine Stories, and the rest of Salinger’s writings as well. I return to them again and again. I only wish there were more of them to read, especially about the Glass family.
His work is awe-inspiring, for certain. But don’t limit yourself to thank you notes on his account (and I see you haven’t, thank goodness!).
Regina
Eric 08.06.09 at 12:12 pm
Thanks for the passages. I have not read Franny and Zooey in 40 years. I only remember what a deep spiritual experience it was. What I remember is what Regina said about a brother bringing his sister out of darkness. Thank you for presenting the concept that we are all Seymour’s Fat Lady and that the Fat Lady is Jesus. “…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Paul 08.06.09 at 5:06 pm
Eric,
I take great pleasure in reuniting you with an old friend. You put it perfectly when you say that “we are all Seymour’s Fat Lady and that the Fat Lady is Jesus. ”
Just wait until the Fat Lady sings!
Paul