Explain Why The Catcher In The Rye Should Not Be Banned

If I was the librarian, I would not get rid of (or censor) any of the books, excluding “Catcher in the Rye.”

From its publication, The Catcher in the Rye gained widespread aversion from schools through its blatant profanity. But despite the time gap since the publication in the 1950s until now, the book explores immortal themes of adolescence and maturing still relevant today. Symbolizing the average teenage life, adolescents throughout the country are able to connect to Holden without question. As Holden agonizes over his purpose and depression, teens relate to this some intangible part of themselves. Holden frustrates over dating, drinking, low grades, switching schools, and life in general. Suddenly, in a second, as the adult world threatens the once serene childhood, as the weight of responsibility of being an adult crashes, Holden crumbles.

Salinger’s early adult life revolved around his experiences in WWII. In 1942, Salinger was drafted for the war and fought in Europe. While J.D. Salinger was writing The Catcher in the Rye, he was experiencing difficult times in his life. Salinger was married twice and both marriages ended up with a divorce. Salinger’s first wife was Sylvia, which divorced him after a year of marriage. In 1955, Salinger remarried Claire Douglas; they had a daughter together in 1955 and a son in 1960 (Miller 552). Salinger and Claire Douglas marriage also didn 't last long and ended in a divorce. Both Salinger’s childhood and adulthood influenced his writing career.

There are people who would like to see The Catcher in the Rye banned from our schools because it contains disturbing issues. In my opinion they are overlooking the message that J.D. Salinger was trying to communicate. In this novel, the characters exhibit a wide scope of behaviors from honorable to ignominious. The novel presents issues such as respect for religion, or lack thereof. As though these issues were not enough by themselves, there is also the subject of intolerance of others. How, may you ask, should this novel be allowed in our schools? Well, the answer lies deep within the symbolism of the novel,

Many schools throughout the United States have banned The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger from their curriculums. There has been much debate on whether or not teachers should be able to include it as a part of their lesson, and if copies should be allowed in libraries. However, without a doubt, The Catcher in the Rye should be apart of schools’ curriculums for anyone above elementary school. There are very few inappropriate themes, banning the novel would be neglecting the First Amendment, and would also ignore a good chance for teens to relate to a character their age.

Since its publication in 1951, The Catcher In the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger has served as a conflagration for debate and extreme controversy. Although the novel has been the target of scornful criticism, it has also been the topic of wide discussion. The novel portrays the life of sixteen year old, Holden Caufield. Currently in psychiatric care, Holden recalls what happened to him last Christmas. At the beginning of his story, Holden is a student at Pencey Prep School. Having been expelled for failing four out of his five classes, Holden leaves school and spends 72-hours in New York City before returning home. There, Holden encounters new ideas,

“Anyway, I'm sort of glad they've got the atomic bomb invented. If there's ever another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will” (Salinger 156). J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye is a book about Holden Caulfield, the main character, and his journey through his depressing life of being surrounded by phonies. The book The Catcher in the Rye should be brought back into the classroom because it brings awareness to mental illnesses, teaches its readers that they are not alone in their frustrations, and that beauty is rare and is worth holding onto, although it may contain vulgar language, sexual content, and the degrading of women.

Many people believe that The Catcher in the Rye should be banned in public schools because of foul language and its sexual themes. However, Holden is a teenage boy and as most teenagers do, they try to find out who they are and are often prone to using profane language. When talking to Mr. Spencer, Holden responds by saying “Boy!” and begins to think “I also say ‘Boy!’ quite a lot. Partly […] because I act quite young for my age sometimes. I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now, and sometimes I can like I’m about thirteen” (Salinger 11). Although many people think the book should be banned, Holden is just being a teenager and it gives teens an example of someone who they can relate to; the novel helps teens to realize that they are not alone and that there are other teens, fictional and otherwise, out there who they can, like

Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye has been into continuous dispute and controversy since its publication in 1951. Some critics think that Salinger 's narrative of the human plight is engrossing and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The leading character, Holden Caulfield, serves as the basis for critical discussion due to his psychological conflict. Salinger 's portrayal of Holden, which encloses incidents of dejection, nervous breakdown, impulsive spending, sexual exploration, and other wandering behavior, have all assist to the controversial nature of the novel. Yet the novel is praised by its piercing advocates, who argue that it is a critical look at the problems facing American youth during the 1950 's.

Is there really an age to be grown up? Should being grown up mean you have responsibilities, like a house, a job, car, and the actual age of 18? Is that what it takes to be called “grown up”. In my opinion I don't think that's the case. I don't think age means anything. It's all about if you are responsible, polite, respectful, mature etc. Especially when it comes to foul language. Should you have to be a certain age to be introduced to it? Even when the case has to do with books, and the school providing you to read them. The question is whether or not The Catcher in the Rye should be banned for age reasons and because of its language and sexual content. In my opinion it shouldn't be banned for its language and sexual content.

The Catcher in the Rye has been an instant classic since it was first published. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller list along with being among the most banned books in the U.S. It has been banned for its harsh language and bad behavior. But truly these are not good reasons to ban a book; a book that is so enjoyed by many readers and the reality of the protagonist. It is never good to hear profound language but the book is just showing how the teenage world actually is in many cases. Most teenagers are going threw a lot at that time in their lives, not always to the extreme like Holdren, but hard times none the less. The language in the book is nothing teens are not

The reasons to challenge these books are varied. The most common reason to challenge or ban a book is because of its sexual content. The Catcher in the Rye is one such book that has been challenged constantly because of its sexual content. It was challenged in Goffstown, New Hampshire school in 1994 because of its sexual exploits. It was removed and then later reinstated at Windsor Forest High School in Savannah, Georgia (2000) when in 1999, a parent complained about the sex and violence in the book.

In 1942, Salinger was drafted into the army and was a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps. After World War II, he was hospitalized in Germany for psychiatric treatment. In 1951, Salinger's only novel was published, Catcher in the Rye. His collection of short stories: Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction were published in 1953, 1961, and 1963 respectively. In 1953, he moved to Cornish, New Hampshire to escape publicity. On February 17, 1955, J. D. married Claire Douglas and had two children, Matthew and Margaret. The couple divorced in 1967. Since the late 80s Salinger has been married to Colleen O'Neill. Little is known about his life after the late 1950's. Salinger died of natural causes on January 27, 2010.

Even though reading these books could be a life lesson, these books should be banned because they incorporate topics that are too mature for students because alcoholism, mature situations, and sexual violence are included in these books, proved too mature for young readers. In both books, strong sexual remarks are made, which is too visual for young and impressionable children. In The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, strong sexual references are made, leaving a strong impression on young children forced to read this book for a grade. Plath describes her feelings towards sex as she notes “Instead of the world being divided up into Catholics and Protestants or Republics...

Many readers will agree that The Catcher in the Rye is a coming of age, but some may disagree that it is not because of Holden’s personal view of children. The disagreement may have resulted from Holden’s childish acts, such as, being