Themes

The main themes of the short story “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by J. D. Salinger are materialism, isolation and the search for innocence. These themes are enhanced through motifs, including physical appearance, madness, and broken communication.

The search for innocence

The theme of the search for innocence is illustrated in the short story by the character of Seymour Glass. Being a man who has been exposed to the atrocities of World War II, only to return home to a superficial, materialistic society, Seymour’s only moment of happiness in the short story is the time spent with the little girl Sybil. The man is attracted to her (and Sharon) because they are children and he perhaps hopes to find in them his lost innocence and some semblance of purity.

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Isolation

The theme of isolation is explored in various ways in the short story. Firstly, along with the motif of broken communication, the theme of isolation is hinted at from the beginning through the conversation Muriel has with her mother over the phone. Muriel’s parents would rather isolate Seymour from their daughter, by sending her on a cruise alone or by making her return home from her holiday. But even Muriel is isolated as she chooses to stay in the hotel room alone, and she rejects her mother’s concerns and advice.

Another example of isolation in the short story is the Carpenter family.

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Materialism

The theme of materialism is explored in the short story through the women (Muriel, her mother, Mrs. Carpenter) but also through various symbols (the bananafish, the hotel).

The story illustrates several women concerned with appearances, both physical and social. Muriel is concerned with luxury and looking fashionable, while she judges others in the hotel for their lack of taste in fashion. Muriel’s mother is concerned with the way Seymour acts in society and with the reputation of her daughter.

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