“The Catcher in the Rye” as a Revolt Against the 1950’s. Salinger: SALINGER. Edward Norton’s Analysis of “The Catcher in the Rye”. 'Blue Melody' is a short story by J. Salinger, first published in the September 1948 issue of Cosmopolitan.
Editor, novelist and playwright A.E. Hotchner talks about J.D. Salinger’s last short story in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1948. Salinger gave the manuscript to his friend Hotchner, then an editor at Cosmopolitan, while they were playing poker at the Greenwich Village tavern Chumley’s. An adamant Salinger warned Hotchner that “not one word can be changed.” A note attached to it said, “Either as is or not at all.”
Unbeknownst to Hotchner, other editors at the magazine had made a single edit. Salinger’s title for the story, which hinges on an African-American jazz singer’s tragic death, was “Scratchy Needle on a Phonograph Record.” In its September 1948 issue, Cosmopolitan changed the title to “Blue Melody.” Hotchner chose to break the news to his friend, “Jerry,” over a beer in Chumley’s. Salinger was furious at what he saw as a betrayal of his trust.
Blue Melody J D Salinger Quotes
That year, Salinger began a close relationship with the magazine he admired and preferred to be published in, The New Yorker, which gave him a “first-look” contract for his stories.
| Blue Melody | |
|---|---|
| Status | Underpublished |
| Original Publication Date | September 1, 1948 |
| Salinger.org Rating | 3.2 |
Originally to be titled Scratchy Needle on a Phonograph Record. A Jazz story fitted into World War II by way of a flashback. It mentions the Varioni Brothers in passing.
Lida Louise passed over it. She was looking at Peggy. “You and him sweeties?” she asked her.
Blue Melody Jd Salinger
Rudford said quickly, “No.”
“Yes,” said Peggy.
“Why you like this little ole boy like you do?” Lida Louise asked Peggy.
“I don’t know,” Peggy said. “I like the way he stands at the blackboard.”
Sources
- Cosmopolitan (September 1, 1948) 50-51, 112-119
- Inverted Forest (Japanese) ()