J. D. Salinger's Just Before The War With The Eskimos

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Just Before the War with the Eskimos – A Personal Response By Yash Arora After a first read of J.D. Salinger’s Just Before the War with the Eskimos the famous short story seemed insipid, shallow, and even superficial. The characters appeared to be without motive, and the setting, both time and place, gave the impression of being arbitrarily dictated. However, it was after a closer and more thorough investigation that it seemed evident that this was quite the opposite. Salinger’s distinct characters, meticulously chosen setting, and careful choice of vocabulary resulted in a complicated but multidimensional piece which explores a multitude of themes. Salinger wrote the story from a third person limited perspective, following Ginnie Mannox on …show more content…

After Ginnie notices the hardships of those around her, she no longer demands the money that is rightfully hers. With Selena’s mother suffering from an illness, Franklin having been injured, and Eric robbed, she comes to the realization that she should empathize with others, and thus does not accept Selena’s money. The philosophical debate over Ethics and Logic arises from this. Is it more just for Ginnie to take the money which is logically hers, or to be morally good and refuse it? Salinger seems to be arguing that Ethics are more representative of justice, rather than Logic, as Ginnie does not take the …show more content…

Considering war is mentioned incredibly infrequently throughout the piece, it is peculiar that the name would include it, which is distinct proof that it must be of significance. When Franklin asks, "We're gonna fight the Eskimos next. Know that?" (Salinger, 48) Ginnie responds that she did not know who they were. Furthermore, when she questions why, Franklin is unable to give a response. This is evident satire and mockery by Salinger regarding war, and how mindless it is. J.D. Salinger’s Just Before the War with the Eskimos may not seem to be the deepest or most thought provoking read at first, however, a more thorough read undoubtedly proves

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