Connections the Short Stories

Among the three short stories we have read, there are many obvious similarities with themes, symbols, and reoccurring problems.

A Perfect Day for Banana Fish and Uncle Wiggily in CT
The problem with innocence and purity when related to the war is a reoccurring theme in both of these short stories. In A perfect Day for Banana Fish, Seymour is stuck in between a world or corruption and innocence. While fighting in the war, Seymour is shown the horrors of war. Like any normal person, he developed PTSD as a result of all the violence and corruption he witnessed. On the other hand, Seymour desires to be innocent like Sybil or try to preserve her innocence. He refers to the color blue a lot when trying to describe Sybil, such as when he insisted that her bathing suit was blue(innocent) and not yellow(corrupt). He also kisses or refers to bare feet as if they represent an innocent quality that Seymour wishes he possessed. Similarly in Uncle Wiggily in CT, Eloise's daughter, Ramona, has this innocent quality, that Eloise can never have. Ramona's imaginary boyfriend dies, and without morning(as much morning you can do for an imaginary friend) she invents a new one. Mickey was replaced by Jimmy so quickly that Eloise wish that Lew could be an actual replacement for Walt. Ramona's innocence and almost care-free behavior of a 6 year old is similar to Seymour's longing to be innocent again.

A Perfect Day for Banana Fish, Uncle Wiggily in CT, and Just before the War with the Eskimos
Body Language may be a small detail but it has a great significance in all of these stories. In A Perfect Day for Banana Fish, Murial crossed, and uncrossed her legs, stood up, and then sat back down, and often reached for the cigarette when her mother brought up Seymour's condition. Through Murial's body language we can tell that Seymour's PTSD has taken a toll on their relationship and her own health. It is obvious that Semyour not opening up to her stresses her out-hence the cigarette addiction. What bothers Murial even more, is that her parents are concerned and insist on Murial leaving Seymour-hence the constant changing of body language. In Uncle Wiggily in CT Eloise has a similar problem. Mary Jane mentions Walt and Lew multiple times and it it obvious that Eloise has not finish mourning over Walt's death. His death has caused her to develop a smoking and drinking habit. Along with he "habit" Eloise crosses her legs when she talks about Lew, as if she is closing herself up, and resisting the urge to breakdown, which she eventually does. In Just before the War with the Eskimos, Selena's brother tells us more with his body language than anyone else in the story. When Ginnie mentions her sisters engagement, we can tell that Franklin still has feelings for her as he fidgets, and itches himself whenever the topic resurfaces.