For Esme—with Love and Squalor

work by Salinger

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

"For Esmé—with Love and Squalor" is a short story by J.D. Salinger, published in 1950. It is part of his collection of stories that often feature the fictional Glass family. The story details a poignant encounter between a U.S. soldier and two young British children. This work, like others by Salinger, is influenced by his experiences during World War II, particularly his combat service and the psychological toll it took on him. The story explores themes of innocence and the harsh realities of war, reflecting Salinger's broader literary concerns with spirituality and enlightenment, often seen in his writings about the Glass family.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

J.D. Salinger
…of his wartime experiences: “For Esmé—with Love and Squalor” (1950) describes a U.S. soldier’s poignant encounter with two British children; “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” (1948) concerns the suicide of the sensitive, despairing veteran Seymour Glass.
Read More
…of his wartime experiences: “For Esmé—with Love and Squalor” (1950) describes a U.S. soldier’s poignant encounter with two British children; “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” (1948) concerns the suicide of the sensitive, despairing veteran Seymour Glass.
Read More