Opposite direction Quote by J.D. Salinger
““I think he had a very, very good smile, for somebody whose teeth were somewhere between so-so and bad. What seems not a whit onerous to write about is the mechanics of it. His smile often went backward or forward when all the other facial traffic in the room was either not moving at all or moving in the opposite direction. His distribution wasn't standard, even in the family. He could look grave, not to say funereal, when candles on small children's birthday cakes were being blown out. On the other hand, he could look positively delighted when one of the kids showed him where he or she had scraped a shoulder swimming under the float. Technically, I think, he had no social smile whatever, and yet it seems true (maybe just a trifle extravagant) to say that nothing essentially right was ever missing in his face.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Catcher in the Rye, 1951
A detailed description of a man's unconventional smile reveals deeper character traits and emotional complexity.
In simple terms: Unusual smile shows inner depth.
Key Takeaway
Observe subtle cues.
Themes
character
appearance
perception
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- first impression
- social interaction
- reading people
Key Concepts
social behavior
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does his smile reveal about his inner world?
- How reliable are physical traits for judging character?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation of facial cues can be subjective.
