Essay Questions

Explain how the author uses Buddy’s behavior to bring out the theatrical irony in the book Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction.

The author portrays Buddy as a enigmatic character who hides his identity even when it is critical for him to identify himself. Buddy is the brother to the bride who is about to get married but he does not want anybody to discover him. The reader finds this ironic because Buddy should be the first person to be recognized in his sister's wedding. The Bridegroom's family does not know him and yet he is in attendance. Buddy only comes to the limelight to introduce himself when his sister is snuffed out by the author.

How does the author build the theme of psychological health using the character Seymour?

Seymour is Buddy's blood brother and often people mistook him for his actions. He is secretly suffering from mental illness but nobody knows this except Buddy. Despite people misjudging Seymour, Buddy understands his brother. He treats him with respect despite the conflicting actions that make people judge him wrongly. It is absurd that even close family members often get upset when Seymour commits unpleasant actions. When Seymour commits suicide, Buddy reveals to the rest of the family and community that he was suffering from mental health.

Can denigration be applied to conclude an individual according to J.D. Salinger?

Throughout the narration, J.D portrays Seymour as a victim of circumstances. Everybody is judging him based on his actions but not on what is driving him to do those deeds. It is revealed through Buddy that Seymour is suffering from mental illness and that is why he is doing abnormal things. Consequently, applying denigration or unfair criticism to judge someone is baseless because it yields misleading results. People are surprised to learn that Seymour behaved abnormally due to mental illness after his death.