Before I begin this series, let me first say that these picks are not in any particular order. Second, these picks are opinion based, and I mean no disrespect to any of the choices. Again, I am fascinated with the character Holden Caulfield.
My first choice is John Cheever. Cheever was expelled from his academy in 1928 for the charge of smoking on campus. He spent portions of his life detailing the horrors of prep school life, but later settled just telling stories about preppies. Cheever is a classic example of Holden Caulfield in my humble opinion.
8 comments:
Richard,
Continuing the theme I see. I never did get into Cheever, tried but lost the vibe. Perhaps I should give it another go. Your recommendation here.
Not sure if you have seen this. Check it out.
www.parisreview.org/media/3667_CHEEVER.pdf
BUT.....Cheever took it upon himself to conclude
that it's ALL phony. All wannabe. The story of
THE SWIMMER, for example.
Just because your life may have more adversity
more sadness,less production,less personal
growth, etc,...gives you no right to state through
your "writings" that it's ALL basically phony,
ALL "wannabe" no real virtue or integrity to be
found.
Richard,human nature basically.....sucks.
No earth shattering headline right?
Finish what you've started,but upon
reflection, what is so great about the
continual study of failures?
The study of the failure gives us,rewards us
with more understanding as to our own
condition, than the winner?
Ah, the deep psyche of the American WASP
gentleman with the common denominator of
alcoholism. How enlightening.....
Its been mentioned before, I'll state him
again. JOCK WHITNEY.
Do yourself a favor,do your readers a
tremendous favor. Read and learn about
this man's entire life. You could easily fill
a year's worth of posts and it will all
be worth it. You have a great opportunity
here to truly be educational as to what
is a Classic American WASP.
You will end up with an endless supply
of storytelling and research as many others
attached to Mr Whitney's life have a great
WASP story all their own.
Richard a greater case study for this blog
doesn't exist. Everything you personally
wish to learn about "Classic Wasp Style"
you will learn by becoming an authority
on the life of Jock Whitney.
Anyone else out there,don't wait on
Richard necessarily if you don't want to.
The life of Jock Whitney is the greatest
"textbook", so to speak, for you,if
you wish for an education of the
American WASP gentleman.
Yes, there ARE others, but Mr Whitney's
life is at least in the top ten if not
the top five.
Forget the Duke, Richard.
Learn about-JOCK WHITNEY.
Or....ignore this advice and opportunity
to FINALLY HAVE THE TITLE-
-WASP101- MEAN SOMETHING......
and continue receiving post after post
after post that you don't understand
WASPdom and never will.
there is a video on youtube where the archivist from Thayer Academy said that Cheever was asked to bring his grades up, and then left the school. He was NOT expelled for smoking like everyone thinks. Thats what she said here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqG1_F6csAU
Richard, I TOTALLY agree with Anonymous - Jock Whitney is very, very fascinating. His widow Marylou is, too. She's still living and 'shocked' society by marrying a MUCH younger man. She's still very active in the racing world and still as beautiful as ever. I could be wrong but I believe she is in her 80's, possibly early 90's.
Oops!! Richard! I made a BIG mistake. Jock Whitney's birth name was John Jay Whitney - and he WAS NOT married to Marylou - my bad! Not the first time I'm flubbed up and definitely won't be the last I pretty sure!
Memo to Kathie:
I believe Marylou Whitney is the widow of C.V. Whitney, who I believed was nicknamed Sonny.
I saw Marylou Whitney at the Keeneland Fall Meeting in Lexingtonk, KY last Autumn. As is her tradition, she was immaculately groomed and demure in her appearance.
Kathie: I also believe Jock Whitney's given name was John Hay Whitney! Regards, Old School
Cheever was a genius and is one of my favorite writers of all time. He may have pointed out the foibles of WASP culture but he was also clearly envious of it. He was raised in a big Victorian house due to his father's success as a shoe salesman. Unfortunately, the family lost almost everything and his mother was forced to open a gift shop in order to keep the them solvent. His father became an alchoholic, which accounts for the role alcohol plays in his short stories. Those who don't get, or appreciate, this tension may be better suited to something breezier like Wodehouse. Kudos for recognizing Cheever's importance as both a critic and chronicler of the WASP lifestyle.
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