10. J. D. Salinger, Franny and Zooey

The American Novel Since 1945 (ENGL 291)

In this lecture on J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey, Professor Hungerford presents her argument about religion in the novel as an example to students of how to construct a sound literary critical paper using evidence from the text. Moving between large claims and close readings, Hungerford shows how Salinger prevents his investment in mysticism from becoming mystification by grounding his sense of the divine in the specificity of persons, the importance of family language and love. In this way writing, like the theme of acting that appears again and again in the novel, models a spiritual performance that brings together artist and audience in the partnership of human communication.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Forming a Literary Argument: Advice for Paper Writing
08:25 - Chapter 2. The Theological Theme: Specific Doctrine versus Syncretic Religion
29:06 - Chapter 3. Structures of Drama
35:08 - Chapter 4. Religion and Love: The Performance of Human Connection
44:38 - Chapter 5. Final Notes on Paper Writing

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2008.