Archetypal Approach: Question D

Does the Protagonist undergo any kind of transformation, such as movement from
innocence to experience, which seems archetypal?

The Protagonist- Seymour Glass

Transformation- Loss of Innocence

Seymour definitely experiences a loss of innocence. This transformation is a direct cause of the
war that he partook in. His (implied) behaviors before the war are completely unlike his actions
and behaviors after the war.

Quote 1: “Did he get one in the Army?” (Pg. 10) Mother is speaking to Muriel, referring to a
tattoo

Quote 2: “…he said it was a perfect crime the Army released him…” (Pg. 6) Mother is speaking
to Muriel, referring to a conversation she (Mother) had with a psychiatrist

Was Seymour really in the war? Yes! Throughout the story, we seem the author, J.D. Salinger,
reference Seymour’s time in the Army. As we learned before, this story takes place shortly after
World War II, leaving one to make the connection that Seymour was a World War II veteran.
Salinger shows that Seymour using the above quotes.

Mother references to Seymour’s changed behaviors during her phone call with Muriel, saying
“He told him everything. At least, he said he did --- you know your father. The trees. That
business with the window. Those horrible things he said to Granny about her plans for passing
away. What he did with all those lovely pictures from Bermuda--- everything.” (Pg. )

This clearly shows his loss of innocence. After his return from the war, he was in a completely
changed state of mind, as if his mental scaffolding had collapsed. His actions could have been
seen as detrimental to others and rather insane. After the war, we see that Seymour did in fact
go through a loss of innocence, and develop PTSD.

General Theme Used: War/Trauma