"A Perfect Day for Bananafish," a short story written by novelist J.D. Salinger, was first published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948. The story takes place during the afternoon, detailing tand the perception and reality of one man, who has just come back from World War II. The running themes are mystery, symbolism and unexplained details.

The story begins in a hotel in an unnamed city. There are ninety- seven men in advertising from New York City staying in the hotel. This which means that the girl staying in room 507 has to wait several hours for a free telephone line. She passes the time by reading a woman's magazine, grooming herself, and caring for her garments. Finally, the operator calls her to tell hersay that a line is free. She is in the middle of painting her nails and takes her time carefully capping...