Exerpts from Hapworth 16, 1924

15May07

I am convinced God will kindly wear a human head, quite capable of nodding, for the benefit of some admirer who enjoys picturing Him that way, but I personally am not partial to His wearing a human head and would perhaps turn on my heel and walk away if He put one on for my dubious benefit.  This is an exaggeration, to be sure; I would be powerless to walk away from Him, of all people, even if my life depended on it.

I have never seen a quite unassailable, respectable fact that was not the first cousin, at least, if not closer, to personal opinion.

You are familiar with the expression “go-between;” even the human brain is a charming go-between!  I was born without any looming confidence in any go-between on the face of the earth, I am afraid, an unfortunate situation, to be sure, but I have no business failing to take a moment to tell you the cheerful truth of the matter.  Here, however, we move quite closer to the crux of the constant turmoil in my ridiculous breast.  While I have no confidence whatsoever in go-betweens, personal opinion, and unassailable, respectable facts, I am also, in my heart, exceedingly fond of them all; I am hopelessly touched to the quick at the bravery of every magnificent human being accepting this charming, flimsy information every heartrending moment of his life!  My God, human beings are brave creatures!

Should it be so difficult to offer a brief, affectionate salute to this unfathomable artist?  Is it not highly tempting to take off one’s hat to someone who is both free to move in mysterious ways as well as in perfectly unmysterious ways?  Oh, my God, this is some God we have!  (…)This is merely my forward opinion in the matter, but it is far from merely impulsive.

–Seymore Glass, Hapworth 16, 1924 (reprinted by Buddy Glass in a story by J. D. Salinger)

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