"For Esmé – with Love and Squalor" 2nd part unnecessary?

[Stephen]

Of all of the nine stories I felt that "For Esmé – with Love and Squalor" was going to be my favorite right up until the second part of the story.

The part that happened in England was really sweet but then the second part sort of ruined it.

Not unlike how the ending somewhat ruined A Perfect Day for Bananafish.

What do you think? Why was the later part necessary?

[Dena]

I loved this story and was ready to name my child Esme, until he came out a boy. But, I don't remember exactly what the "second part" was. Can you refresh my memory?

[Stephen]

In the first part of the story, the narrator is in training in England and meets Esme and her brother in a village tea shop.

In the second part he's a war wounded soldier called sergeant X. It's much more bleak and depressing than the first part and for me other than the "war is bad" message there didn't seem to be much point to it.

[Dena]

I remember liking the contrast and finding out what happened to them.

[Hayley]

I'm struggling to remember the whole Esme story. However, I LOVED a Good Day for Bananafish. The ending IS the story. Without the ending, the story doesn't make sense. It's an illustration of the prison people in which people both find themselves and encase themselves, and how misleading and deceptive depression can be. I think it's his best.

[Zachary]

The ending is harsh and unnerving, set up by the concise beauty of the first part, which is more old school Salinger. The second part kind of reminds of Slaughter House 5. It's absolutely essential, though I prefer the first half for aesthetic reasons.

[Oksana]

Hayley wrote: The ending IS the story. Without the ending, the story doesn't make sense. "

That was my impression too.

[Christopher]

Yes, the ending is the kicker. Without the ending, it's only a pleasant slice of life. Look at the title, too. It's with "Love and Squalor." The second half is the squalor, the aftereffects of the war. War is hell, and PTSD cripples many a good veteran. We feel for Sergeant X.

[mkfs]

Kevin wrote: "Are you joking? The second part is the meat of the story!"

My reaction exactly. While reading, I thought the first part of the story was going nowhere. Then I got to the second part and thought "whoa, NOW it begins!"

Excellent story, possibly my favorite in the collection.

[mkfs]

Christopher wrote: " Look at the title, too. It's with "Love and Squalor." The second half is the squalor ..."

Indeed: the squalor that Esmé herself implores him to write in the first part!

[Bre]

Dena wrote: "I loved this story and was ready to name my child Esme, until he came out a boy. But, I don't remember exactly what the "second part" was. Can you refresh my memory?"

Non-related to topic comment: Esme can be both a male and female name! "The Avenue", by R.F. Delderfield has a male hero named Esme. (Not very likeable, though).

[Bre]

Oksana wrote: "Hayley wrote: The ending IS the story. Without the ending, the story doesn't make sense. "

That was my impression too."

Absolutely!

[Christine]

I, too, thought the second part was absolutely necessary. It illustrated the point that Salinger was trying to make. Same with Bananafish.