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Analysis Of ' The Last Of The ' Nine Stories '

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The last of the "Nine Stories," Teddy is a complex and philosophy-rich testament to Salinger 's own Eastern leanings. The eponymous protagonist is the obvious source of this deep thought, as he believes himself to be in the later stages of Enlightenment, and speaks freely of his own ideas and sentiments. However, the plot, as well as the style in which it is written, also speak of convoluted ideas and symbols. The interplay between character and theme is constant and can be interpreted in myriad ways, especially given the frustratingly vague ending. All of these aspects work together to form a work of fiction which has caused significant controversy and confusion over the years. Though there aren 't many prominent characters in Teddy, it is important to remember that even those whom we see only briefly contribute significantly to the themes and development of the other characters. Teddy 's parents give a glimpse into the implied childhood of the boy, potentially offering another interpretation of his character. With their dislike of each other and of Teddy, it 's possible that, rather than being a true Zen master, Teddy could just be an unloved 10-year-old, who struggles to interact meaningfully with the world. He uses his persona of Eastern philosopher to pull away from his parents and his own emotions, guarding himself from any pain he might feel at his parents ' disregard for him (Kaufman). Booper, on the other hand, has been shaped by these negative emotions, and has

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