J. D. Salinger is an American writer who was popular for writing short stories. Common themes of his writing was alienation and disenchantment. Reasons for that might be because he was drafted to World War 2 and served from 1942 to 1944. In J. D. Salinger’s short story “For Esme- with Love and Squalor,” he uses differences of views, war, and friendship to portray that the innocence of Esme acted as a healing power for Sergeant X while he was at war. In the beginning of J.D. Salinger’s “For Esme- with Love and squalor,” a man, who is unnamed at the time, has been invited to a wedding of one of his dear friends from the past. Unfortunately, he is unable to go but the thought of her brings up memories and now the rest of the story is a flashback.
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The letter had things such as how much she enjoyed their short time together, that she hopes he is safe and he need to write back quickly, and her father's watch. ”It was a long time before X could set the note aside, let alone lift Esme's father's wristwatch out of the box” (Salinger 9). Jen Sanfilippo, a writer stated, “Esme’s letter gave him a sense of relief because he was happy to hear from her” (Sanfilippo 1). Esme’s letter reminded him of simpler times. The watch she gave him was very important to her. “He just sat with it in his hand for another long period” (Salinger 9). Some say that Esme giving sergeant X her fathers watch symbolizes that she now sees him has a father. (Sanfilippo 1). Esme really cared for Sergeant X if she gave him her prized possession. Esme’s innocence was still there by the context of her letter.
In J. D. Salinger's “For Esme- with Love and Squalor,” he used a young girl and her innocence as a touching part of Sergeant X’s life, even many years down the road when she is old enough to get married. Esme and Sergeant X saw the war from different views which was almost delightful for Sergeant X. From the beginning of the war to the end, Sergeant X is burnt out and tired and needed something to relieve him. Esme’s gift to Segreant X portrayed a sense of friendship because she cared. J.D. Salinger used Esme’s innocence as a healing power for Sergeant X because differences of views, war, and
The letter had things such as how much she enjoyed their short time together, that she hopes he is safe and he need to write back quickly, and her father's watch. ”It was a long time before X could set the note aside, let alone lift Esme's father's wristwatch out of the box” (Salinger 9). Jen Sanfilippo, a writer stated, “Esme’s letter gave him a sense of relief because he was happy to hear from her” (Sanfilippo 1). Esme’s letter reminded him of simpler times. The watch she gave him was very important to her. “He just sat with it in his hand for another long period” (Salinger 9). Some say that Esme giving sergeant X her fathers watch symbolizes that she now sees him has a father. (Sanfilippo 1). Esme really cared for Sergeant X if she gave him her prized possession. Esme’s innocence was still there by the context of her letter.
In J. D. Salinger's “For Esme- with Love and Squalor,” he used a young girl and her innocence as a touching part of Sergeant X’s life, even many years down the road when she is old enough to get married. Esme and Sergeant X saw the war from different views which was almost delightful for Sergeant X. From the beginning of the war to the end, Sergeant X is burnt out and tired and needed something to relieve him. Esme’s gift to Segreant X portrayed a sense of friendship because she cared. J.D. Salinger used Esme’s innocence as a healing power for Sergeant X because differences of views, war, and