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Shannen Rushing

Mrs. Sharp

English 11

16 February 2017

A Perfect Day for Bananafish

In J.D. Salinger’s “A Perfect Day for Bananafish”, the author’s point of view is displayed

from a man’s return from war with PTSD. This point of view becomes developed as the

protagonist Seymour Glass starts acting strange from returning from deployment. This is

established explicitly, implicitly, and that of which is uncertain. All these thoughts provoke the

story’s true and main message, innocence.

Explicitly is firstly shown when Seymour Glass explains bananafish to a little girl named

Sybil. Foremost, “‘Well hate to tell you, Sybil. They die.’ ‘Why’ asked Sybil. ‘Well, they get

banana fever. It’s a terrible disease” (Salinger 10). This is when Seymour Glass opens up to the

little girl Sybil. This is because Sybil is a child and Seymour feels comfortable with that,

comparing himself to a bananafish.

Then, implicitly next is portrayed when Seymour doesn’t register a certain color properly.

For example, “‘That’s a fine bathing suit you have on. If there’s one thing I like, it’s a blue

bathing suit’” (Salinger 8). As Seymour was talking to Sybil, he made an incorrect compliment.

Implying something may be wrong with Seymour; however, yet again Seymour was talking to a

little girl who could not possibly understand the dilemma. Seymour Glass was only opening up

to a little girl, to his dismay, could not help.

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Thirdly, the uncertainty of the analysis of the theme is characterized when Seymour Glass

yells at an elderly woman, right before tragedy struck. Furthermore, “‘If you want to look at my

feet, say so’

said the young man, ‘But don’t be a God-damned sneak about it’ (Salinger 11). Seymour began

to act out over his own paranoia. As the woman was not staring at his feet, but the flooring of the

elevator he, the elderly lady and the elevator operator were not doing anything of suspicion.

Nonetheless, Seymour was demonstrating the symptoms of what he struggles with, which is

PTSD.

To conclude, the theme is portrayed through explicit, implicit and uncertain points of

view. When the story continues to unravel, it turns out that Seymour Glass was struggling to

express himself to anyone but a small child named Sybil. Victims of PTSD combat these affairs

alone if they do not obtain help from professionals. As Seymour found himself only able to

speak to Sybil, rather than his wife or any other competent.