lism. This is evident in Muriel’s statement “ She kept asking me if Seymour is related to that Suzanne Glass that has the place on Madison Ave – the millinery”(8) this comment suggests that Seymour has come from a wealthy family. It is ironic that as much as they approve of wealth both psychiatrists Dr Rieser and Dr. Sivetski, lead Muriel and her parents to believe that Seymour “may completely lose control”(7). Likewise, Muriel's mother for example “The trees. That business with the window. Those horrible things he said to Granny about her plans for passing away. What he did with those lovely pictures from Bermuda --- everything.” (6) Following these sentences Muriel’s describes Seymour’s actions as those of a ”raving maniac”(9). They are not taking into account that psychiatrists base their analysis on materialism and on the biased development of individual, such as Seymour, in society. Both the psychiatrists and Muriel’s mother base their analysis on the assumption that his pale color and unorthodox ways somehow suggests that he is unfit for society. Of course, if this were the case Seymour would be unable to differentiate between right and wrong. Semour’s behavior may not be within the realm of normal acceptability but it also cannot be categorized as irrational. Seymour’s appearance is in sharp contrast to that of his materialistic wife. He, more specifically, is untouched by the sun and is not described as been preoccupied with superficial appearances, and so on. Muriel on the other hand, is extremely sunburnt. It is as if the yellow sun has dominated her. Do the gold effects of the sun symbolize materialism, esthetics, and superficiality?Is Seymour’s wife unable to see past the surface of her shallow existence? Salinger seemed to have answered these questions when naming Muriel’s character. Muriel similar to “muralR...
