Symbolism In A Perfect Day For Bananafish

The world is in a large era of capitalistic wealth and materialistic gain. Every day it is shoved into the faces of the masses to consume what is being made, what is being sold, and what is trending. In a society where vanity and materialism go hand in hand, it is easy to forget other people in your life; thus, leading to neglecting those around you. In the story “A Perfect Day For Bananafish,” J. D. Salinger employs the devices of symbolism using the Bananafish suggesting mental illness and consumerism, a restricted third-person narration showing miscommunication, and contrasting characterization exemplifying vanity versus being pure. Salinger asserts how this materialistic world creates a perfect environment for neglect by being too busy in your own self and gossip to notice or really care about anyone around you. In turn, this can lead to the neglected to seek out some form of relief;

The sheer contrast between these two characters give light to the story’s theme. By characterizing Sybil as a young, pure child still unaware of what consumerism is, the readers are brought to light on just how vain Muriel is. She is written as someone who reads trendy magazines, wears luxurious clothing, and does not seem to have a single care in the world for anything other than materialistic objects. She has been characterized to be part of the capitalistic hive mind and is there purely to consume and relish in her own vanity and emotional shallowness. In comparison, Salinger brings in a new character that is self-conscious and is really only interested in candle wax and going swimming with her adult friend. This contrast is important because it shows the reader just how fueled post-war society is by materialistic objects to be happy and fuel their selfish