Something I found interesting about "Teddy" was the mention of the "Vedantic theory of reincarnation". Salinger, himself, was raised by a parent who was Jewish and a parent who was Catholic (Like Holden). Later as an adult, Salinger dabbled in in Scientology, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Buddhism is mentioned in "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" when Jean mentions it to M. Yoshoto. The "Experience" Jean has could be a sort of Buddhist awakening or enlightenment.
Most prominently, Hinduism and the Vedantic theory are major motifs in "Teddy". Does anyone think Salinger was speaking through Teddy expressing his religious beliefs? And are there any more examples of any of Salinger's religious beliefs in Nine Stories?
I think that it's interesting in "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" that Salinger uses a stereotype of Buddhism. Jean tells M. Yoshoto: "pointedly enough that [he] was a student of Buddhism. [He] later found out that both he and Mme. Yoshoto were Presbyterians" (141, the better baby book). Since Salinger himself was a student of Buddhism, it's weird that he would use a stereotype in his writing.
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