Franny and Zooey, written by J.D. Salinger, offers an intimate exploration of the Glass family, concentrating on the youngest siblings, Franny and Zooey. The narrative commences with Franny meeting her boyfriend for lunch, where her peculiar behavior becomes evident: she has lost her appetite, appears distracted, and diverts their conversation towards religious topics. She reveals her recent engagement with The Way of a Pilgrim, a novel that explores the meaning behind the biblical phrase “Praying without ceasing.” This book profoundly alters Franny’s perspective, setting the tone for the story that unfolds.
Through the narrative, readers are introduced to the broader Glass family, though separated: some siblings have passed away, while others are geographically distant. Despite this physical separation, the influence of the eldest siblings, Buddy and Seymour, remains visible. Their philosophical teachings have left a significant impact on Franny and Zooey, shaping their worldviews and creating a sense of disconnection from ordinary life.
Having previously enjoyed Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, I was captivated by Franny and Zooey. Salinger’s adeptness at tailoring his writing style to match the protagonist’s mindset is praiseworthy. While Catcher in the Rye employs a straightforward, abrupt prose reflecting Holden Caulfield's adolescent confusion, Franny and Zooey use more sophisticated language, mirroring the intellectual nature of the Glass family. From an early age, the Glass siblings were showcased on a “Wise Child” podcast, where they answered children's questions with remarkable insight. It gave the siblings the opportunity to showcase their wit and put their knowledge to practice. This early exposure to intellectual discourse justifies the novel's complex language and ideas, enriching its depth and readability.
Browsing TikTok, I noticed mixed reactions to the novel's structure, with many praising the first part but criticizing the second. I partially agree. Salinger’s technique of plunging readers into the midst of a conflict without unnecessary context creates a compelling beginning. Instead, he takes advantage of the story plot, and gives the reader a rush of spontaneity within the first few pages. This stands in stark contrast to novels like Crime and Punishment, where excessive context can be overwhelming.
The characters in Franny and Zooey evoked a sense of envy in me. Salinger portrays them as prodigies—intelligent, beautiful, profound, and talented actors. However, their relentless pursuit of philosophical understanding leads to isolation rather than fulfillment. Salinger’s exploration of the concept of ignorance leading to happiness and knowledge leading to corruption is central to the narrative. Franny and Zooey's intellectual pursuits make them appear outwardly smug and detached, struggling to connect meaningfully with others. Despite their intellectual capacities, their journey is faced with challenges, making them question the true value of their knowledge and its impact on their happiness.
Franny, influenced by The Way of a Pilgrim, becomes disillusioned with her passion for acting and develops a critical view of others’ simple lifestyles. Zooey, on the other hand, finds conversations with non-prodigies unengaging. While I don't see this as extremely problematic, their egotism is apparent. Franny and Zooey see themselves as superior to their peers and judge others based on first impressions, giving no one a chance to match their level. Does this bring them happiness? Not at all. Their indulgence in excessive knowledge comes at a cost. It hinders their ability to communicate effectively with ordinary people, makes them conceited, causes them to lose their temper, and results in a lack of basic manners. Their extensive knowledge leads to an egotistical mindset, raising the question: Does excessive knowledge corrupt?
Drawing a parallel with The Picture of Dorian Gray, the corrupting influence of knowledge is evident. Gray, influenced by Lord Henry’s hedonistic ideas, ultimately engages in morally scandalous behavior. Similarly, the knowledge fed to Franny and Zooey makes them ostentatious and difficult to relate to. Their intellectual arrogance isolates them from meaningful human connections, and even their family relationships suffer, as seen in Zooey’s disrespectful interactions with their mother. Zooey treats his mother with disdain, calling her by her first name and using dismissive language, particularly in the bathroom scene where he repeatedly kicks her out and disagrees with everything she says.
I found this behavior strange, but I could imagine behaving similarly if I had all that information in my mind. It would feel like no one understands you, making indulging in futile conversation appear pointless. There have been times after reading a difficult classic where I gain a temporary superiority complex. Fortunately, it’s temporary for me, but not for everyone. With my anxiety and focus on others, I detest appearing arrogant—it’s not a good look. However, I still wonder: How can some people live life without having read a certain book? I think that’s the sort of question Franny and Zooey ask themselves. They consume so many novels and so much knowledge that no one else can understand them.
However, I must admit that I didn’t completely love the novel's ending. Much like The Catcher in the Rye, the book concludes abruptly, lacking a clear resolution and leaving an almost ambiguous impression. Zooey manages to knock some sense into Franny, prompting her to start readjusting to her life without that little book. Is this a happy ending? Probably not. Given the nature of both protagonists, they are likely to acquire new knowledge that will eventually influence them—and not necessarily in a positive way. Personally, I didn't expect a 'happy' ending, but I did hope for a final sentence that would leave me intrigued and provoke further questions. Instead, I found the ending to be somewhat lacking in creativity and depth.
Despite my mixed feelings about the ending, the characters of Franny and Zooey are very intriguing. The dynamic between Franny and Zooey struck me as unconventional for siblings, as their interactions were laced with jealousy and simmering tension. They didn’t resemble the typical sibling duo. This complexity adds significant depth to their relationship, challenging traditional sibling dynamics and inviting readers to explore the intricacies of familial love and rivalry. Strangely, if someone had told me they weren’t siblings, I would have believed it.
I need to say, I do always gravitate towards books with characters I would like to meet in person, even though I’m fairly certain Franny and Zooey would somewhat detest me. They would likely misjudge me at first glance and quickly move on. And to be clear, I do not like these people in real life. So, what sets Franny and Zooey apart? The difference lies in my deeper understanding of their inner thoughts and actions. This knowledge makes fictional characters more likable than real people because, through their dialogue and actions, we can justify their behavior with the insights we have. In contrast, with people we meet in person, one conversation isn’t enough to understand or excuse their behavior.
In summary, Franny and Zooey is a compelling read, offering an interesting examination of the balance between knowledge and happiness. While it may not exceed The Catcher in the Rye in my personal ranking, it remains a thought-provoking literary experience. I would rate it 4 stars.