Citation

Eisen GS. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 1980; 10(1): 51-60.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7361345

Abstract

This paper explores the suicide of Seymour Glass, a major character in J. D. Salinger's fiction and utilizes the "psychological autopsy" technique as a framework for investigating the psychodynamics of Seymour's death. Based upon materials provided throughout Salinger's stories, the suicide is analyzed in terms of five major elements related to Seymour's emotional state and manifest behaviors: (1) details of the death; (2) personal story; (3) level of perturbation; (4) personality and life-style; and (5) intention and lethality of the act. Additionally, this essay posits various interpretations on the suicide and allows for insights into the psychodynamic functioning of a major literary character.