10. J. D. Salinger, Franny and Zooey

The lecture focuses on providing a comprehensive reading of "Franny and Zooey" and modeling how literary critics use textual evidence to support an argument. The speaker analyzes the novel's style, setting, and characters, highlighting the family's conversations about abstract religious and philosophical ideas. The lecture explores the theological questions within the novel, particularly Zooey's critique of Franny's use of the Jesus Prayer, and contrasts it with the syncretic mystical education they received from Buddy and Seymour. The speaker argues that acting, with its emphasis on beauty and human connection, becomes a central religious practice in the novel, balancing specific doctrine with a broader, more inclusive spiritual vision. The lecture concludes by connecting these themes to the novel's dramatic structure and the importance of family language and love.