Once again, Salinger wasn’t oblivious to the meanings behind each character’s name. In fact, symbolism plays a part in the character Sybil Carpenter. “Sybil, bright with innocence but already tarnishing, symbolizes for Seymour the human condition: like the sibyls of old, she is the unconscious oracle through whom the prophecy is revealed, the instrument of truth” (Lane). A sibyl is defined as “a woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god” (“sibyl”). It is suggested that her being a child, she is in her prime of innocence. However, she reveals to Seymour that her innocence is gradually soiling and the corruption of adulthood is in her near future. Sybil acts as a prophet to Seymour unveiling the truth of the
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Sybil's innocence and youth are emphasized when she is described as “delicate”. This innocence is counteracted when the conversation of Sharon Lipschutz sitting next to Seymour is brought up. “Next time, push her off,” Sybil said” (Salinger). Sybil shows a feeling of jealousy and animosity towards Sharon, this makes Seymour see the corruption brewing inside of her. It is suggested that when Seymour realizes this, he loses hope in humanity and chooses to end his life. Salinger is again creating the message of corruption in adulthood and the bad morals of society. One of the most prominent uses of symbolism in “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” is the tale of the Bananafish itself and what Salinger wants it to represent. “The Bananafish may also be symbolic of Seymour himself, who (like many young men) was lured into the “banana hole” of war and figuratively consumed so many years of the war’s horrors that he is now unable to come out of the hole and reintegrate himself into the world of non-combatants” (“A Perfect Day for Bananafish”). Its proposed that, like the Bananafish, Seymour has glutted himself for the horrors of the war and can no longer get himself out of the “banana hole” he is stuck in. Seymour describes a Bananafish as a
Sybil's innocence and youth are emphasized when she is described as “delicate”. This innocence is counteracted when the conversation of Sharon Lipschutz sitting next to Seymour is brought up. “Next time, push her off,” Sybil said” (Salinger). Sybil shows a feeling of jealousy and animosity towards Sharon, this makes Seymour see the corruption brewing inside of her. It is suggested that when Seymour realizes this, he loses hope in humanity and chooses to end his life. Salinger is again creating the message of corruption in adulthood and the bad morals of society. One of the most prominent uses of symbolism in “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” is the tale of the Bananafish itself and what Salinger wants it to represent. “The Bananafish may also be symbolic of Seymour himself, who (like many young men) was lured into the “banana hole” of war and figuratively consumed so many years of the war’s horrors that he is now unable to come out of the hole and reintegrate himself into the world of non-combatants” (“A Perfect Day for Bananafish”). Its proposed that, like the Bananafish, Seymour has glutted himself for the horrors of the war and can no longer get himself out of the “banana hole” he is stuck in. Seymour describes a Bananafish as a