Franny and Zooey Dissatisfaction Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Story.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #4

And at that instant, more than just mentionably, had Zooey seen her face, and particularly her eyes, he might have had a strong impulse, passing or not, to recall, or reconstruct, or reinflect the greater part of his share of the conversation that had passed between them – to temper it, to soften it. (Zooey.4.73)

This is the same tone found in a similar line in "Franny," as though the narrators share this sense of regret or sadness. For more on this, check out "Tone."

Quote #5

…two of her sons were dead, one by suicide (her favorite, her most intricately calibrated, her kindest son), and one killed in World War II (her only truly lighthearted son)… (Zooey.4.73)

The author does not let us forget the tragedy that hangs over the Glass family.

Quote #6

His lathering technique was very much out of the ordinary, although identical in spirit with his actual shaving technique. That is, although he looked into the mirror while he lathered, he didn't watch where his brush was moving but, instead, looked directly into his own eyes, as though his eyes were neutral territory, a no man's land in a private war against narcissism he had been fighting since he was seven or eight years old. (Zooey.5.1)

Zooey struggles against materialism and shallowness the same way his sister Zooey does.