In this coming-of-age story J. D. Salinger Salinger Ginnie, a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl’s outlook on life changes after visiting a controlling classmate’s home to collect money owed for shared cab fares. While waiting, she meets the girl’s older brother who appears bitter at the world after dropping out of college, being rejected for military service, and spurned in love by Ginnie’s sister. Later, she meets his effeminate, possibly gay best friend. After the visit, she no longer wants the money and asks if she can return that evening. Themes include alienation, rejection, resentment, connection, awakening.

Just Before the War with the Eskimos Text / PDF (4,200 words)

It is interesting to contemplate the meaning of the foreshadowed war with the Eskimos. The story is set shortly after World War Two, and some suggest that it refers to the looming Korean War. An alternate view is that the story is a satirical condemnation of all wars suggesting that, rather than being fought by a nation’s youth, they should be fought by “all the old guys” who cause them.

Another question is why Ginnie decided to visit Selina again that evening. A popular view is that she had identified some form of connection with Franklin but again, I think it may go further. Her sheltered, self-absorbed view of the world has been shattered by her experience with the two men. It could be that she sees Selina in a new light, and wants to know her better.