What could be a thesis statement about J.D. Salinger in Shoeless Joe?

One thesis statement in describing the characterization of Salinger is to discuss how he might serve as what Doc Graham would call "a magnet."  When Doc meets Ray in Minnesota, he asks Ray whether he is a "magnet?"  The concepts connects to how individuals are agents of change in bringing forces together, unifying that which is disparate. Salinger embodies this in his ability to unify baseball to the American consciousness.  Salinger also operates in a magnetic manner in how his bringing together individual choice and what they are meant to do.  Ray is meant to be reunited with his father, baseball is meant to reunite the disparate American consciousness, and Salinger himself is meant to write as he was meant to return to the game he loves.

A more direct way of analyzing Salinger in the novel is to focus on how he assists Ray in understanding the power of baseball.  Salinger is able to do this on personal levels and social levels.  His ability to enable Ray to see beyond even his own tendencies to dream and transform reality is essential in this process.  At the same time, Salinger is the force that enables Ray to understand how the field will become profitable and how individuals can find instant attraction in the powers of baseball.

What interesting facts about J.D. Salinger are revealed in the novel Shoeless Joe?

The depiction of Salinger in Kinsella's work is an interesting one.  It is unique because there is so little known about Salinger that it allows Kinsella to create a portrait that stirs the imagination about what Salinger would or could really have been like.  The fact that the Salinger vision featured in Kinsella's work is a charming and affable figure flies in the face of the reclusive vision that has been commonly associated with Salinger.  At the same time, Kinsella brings to light the ultimate hope of Salinger fans in suggesting that Salinger's experience with the mythical ball field will enable him to write again.  This is something that strikes at the heart of most Salinger fans who cannot understand how someone with so much talent would be willing to sacrifice it by not sharing it with an eager audience.  The experience of the ball field and Ray's desire to "ease his pain" is what enables Salinger to consider writing again in a "rapture" that is certain to rekindle the flame of authorship.  Such a depiction gains even more significance and meaning since Salinger's passing.