Down at the Dinghy by J.D. Salinger
In Down at the Dinghy by J.D. Salinger we have the theme of acceptance, innocence, sensitivity, escape, connection and racism (or anti-Semitism). Taken from his Nine Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it becomes clear to the reader that Salinger is exploring the theme of acceptance. Through Sandra and Mrs Snell’s conversation there is a sense that what Sandra has said (about Lionel’s father) is acceptable to not only Sandra but to Mrs Snell too. At no stage of the conversation does Mrs Snell condemn or give out to Sandra for what she has said about Lionel’s father. This lack of condemnation may be important as it is possible that Salinger is suggesting, that at the time the story was written (post WWII), anti-Semitism was acceptable in America. It is also possible that by having two (Sandra and Mrs Snell) of the four characters in the story appear to accept what has been said about Lionel’s father, Salinger is also suggesting that anti-Semitism was widespread in America (again at the time the story was written).
Salinger also appears to be exploring the theme of escape. Lionel, from a very early age has been running away when confronted with adversity or difficulty. Firstly he ran away (at the age of three) when another child in the park suggested to him that ‘You stink, kid.’ Also when he was a little younger (two and a half) he hid under a sink in his parents’ apartment when another child suggested that ‘she had a worm in her thermos.’ Both these incidents may be significant as they suggest that Lionel is a sensitive child who has yet to learn not to take on board what other people say. This sensitivity also suggests that Lionel is innocent of the world around him, he still has to learn that other people will say things which may not necessarily be true. Through his innocence Lionel appears to believe everything that people say.
The fact that Boo Boo pretends to be an admiral when she is talking to Lionel may also be important. By pretending, Boo Boo, is in many ways trying to connect with Lionel or at least attempting to understand what is wrong with him but doing so on terms that will appeal to Lionel’s imagination. If anything, Boo Boo is allowing Lionel to be a child, which in turn suggests she is allowing him to remain innocent. Though she is still unaware (till the end of the story) as to why Lionel is upset, she understands that he is a sensitive child. Also by pretending to play the bugle, Boo Boo is again attempting to appeal to Lionel’s imagination. Of all the characters in the story, Boo Boo appears to be the only one who is aware of how sensitive Lionel is. When Sandra displays some concern for Lionel, after hearing that he has run away again, the reader suspects that she is doing so, not out of concern for Lionel but rather to portray herself in a favourable light and minimize her chances of being dismissed from her job over her remarks about Lionel’s father.
There is also some symbolism in the story which may be important. By having Lionel throw the goggles that once belonged to his Uncle Seymour and Uncle Webb into the water it is possible that Salinger is suggesting, at least symbolically, that Lionel is rejecting an adult world. If this is the case (rejecting an adult world), Salinger may also be suggesting that Lionel wants to remain innocent (or a child) and does not wish to understand life as an adult would (without innocence). Salinger may also be using the keys that Lionel (like the goggles) throws into the water as symbolism. Keys are usually used to open doors and it is possible that by giving the keys to Lionel, at least symbolically Boo Boo is opening a door for Lionel to better understand the world. Though by throwing the keys into the water, it is possible that Salinger is again suggesting that just like the goggles, Lionel is continuing to reject an adult world, preferring to remain a child and innocent of the world around him.
The ending of the story is also interesting and in many ways highlights Lionel’s continued innocence. After he tells his mother that ‘Sandra – told Mrs Smell – that Daddy’s a big – sloppy – kike’, Boo Boo asks Lionel does he know what a kike is. The fact that Lionel confuses the word kike with kite suggests that Lionel is innocent, he has not yet been corrupted by others. The realities of the world have not fully changed him. It may also be important that Lionel wins the race back to the house, as by allowing Lionel win the race, Salinger may be suggesting (at least symbolically) that in life too, Lionel will win. Despite the anti-Semitic opinions of Sandra.
These interpretations help me a lot, thank you for sharing. I’m recently very new to Salinger’s works, your help is making the process of reading even more enjoyable, because I understand it more and feel it better.
Thanks for the comment Makabra. I’m glad you find some of the posts helpful.
Thanks for the comment Makabra. I’m glad you find some of the posts helpful.
I agree with the last poster. I just started reading “Nine Stories,” and reading your analysis has really gave me a deeper meaning of these stories.
Thanks Benny. Nine Stories is a great collection. I enjoyed reading the stories and analyzing them.
I’ve just started to read nine stories, though in Chinese. But your posts about the collections are really helpful for me to perceive the symbolism and meaning of the stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks for the comment Aloma. It’s great to know that you find the posts beneficial. Enjoy the collection.
I think he wrote with an intention that the reader would have a synchronized event simultaneously with reality. An event so obvious and impossible to ignore, or pass as a crude coincidence. When I read Down at the Dinghy I received a message from my mother who died when I was a child. She made a mistake “boo boo” and the message helped me.
Thanks for the comment and insight Gena.
I recently went to the J.D. Salinger exhibit at New York Public Library, which I found really interesting. I’m not sure why I haven’t read Salinger before but it prompted me to start. I’m presently reading ‘For Esme – With Love and Squalor’ Your comments and analysis have helped me understand the symbolism and meaning, which in turn has enabled me to enjoy them at a deeper level.
I’m glad that you find some of the Salinger posts on the blog helpful.
Just thought I’d explain For Esme…. was published as Nine Stories in USA.
Thanks for that Angela.
Jerome the Ostrich… J.D. ‘s first name was Jerome. I think Lionel was J.D., portrayed as an innocent child, dismayed by the realities of life and the cruelty of people at times. He was figuratively sticking his head in the sand by running away.Boo Boo represented a kindness in people, if one accepts the good with the bad.
Thanks for that insight Carolyn.
Thank you, All for the great commentary provided above.
I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on the watercraft.
At the beginning Sandra complains that they have stayed too long, that none of them use the boat at this point and asks accusingly why they spent good money on the boat to begin with. Then we have Lionel in a dinghy, with Boo Boo playing the role of and Admiral and end with Boo Boo promising to make Dad take them out in the boat.
The only thoughts I have currently on this is the anti-Semitic stereotype that Jews are wealthy and ‘run the world’.
It seems that Sandra, at least, despises her employer’s wealth and frivolous spending. She also seems upset that she is ‘stuck’ out at the lake when she would be back in the City in October.
It is also possible that after Boo Boo learns about the ‘sloppy like’ comment, knowing also where it was coming from, that she wanted to put Sandra in her place by having Dad take them out on the boat.
Something tells me my thoughts are not quite touching on the significance of watercraft. I would love to hear other people’s thoughts.
Cheers,
Patrick
It’s been a while since I read the story Patrick. I’m not sure of an answer to your question.