William Saroyan, Walt Whitman, and Punctuation

A letter written by William Saroyan to Charles Dedeyan, in which Saroyan remarks on his dislike of overpunctuation, is presented in full & discussed. Saroyan's awareness of the subjective character of punctuation is addressed, as is his apparent knowledge of the rhythm-interrupting quality of too many commas. Differences in the use of commas between the French & Americans are noted, & it is suggested that Saroyan's letter reveals his understanding of these distinctions. A general history of the use of commas & punctuation, in which punctuation is deemed a modern luxury, is provided. Certain French authors who, like Saroyan, tended to avoid the overuse of punctuation, are considered. It is asserted that Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," in which lines of poetry were ended with little regard for punctuation, is a typically American example, & perhaps a pioneering work of the tradition followed by Saroyan. D. Weibel