Essay about The Catcher in the Rye Should be Included in the Curriculum

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.

We are all a part of this world therefore we all play a big role in society and we can choose whether to contribute or not. In The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger, although written in the 1950 the story is a very relevant text for adolescents living in the 21st century. It is a novel about a young delinquent, Holden Caulfield, and through this character, Salinger expresses his views on American culture and society. Today I would like to discuss the ways in which The Catcher in the Rye is still relevant for teenagers by comparing 1950’s adolescent culture to the adolescent culture of today..

The story of Holden Caulfield, from the book Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, starts from from the point-of-view of Holden; where he is being treated for a nervous breakdown after being kicked out of Pencey Prep. for the death of his little brother Allie. While the book does have multiple instances of explicit language and suggestive themes, we think that the book is appropriate to be used in the 10th grade English curriculum. While it does have foul language and suggestive themes, kids in modern day High School have access to much more explicit and suggestive content. Also, even if it was written around the 1950s, both the difficulty and the timeliness is still relatively easy to understand and relate to.

It has been brought to my attention that this week in nationally known as Banned Books Week. As a concerned parent, who wants the best education for their child, I am writing to you to take action against several novels commonly taught in schools that should not be presented to students. Although many books can be questioned during this week, the focus of this letter is on The Catcher in the Rye, a classic book written by J.D. Salinger. The Catcher in the Rye should not be a part of Center Grove’s curriculum presented to students to ensure the best education for students by avoiding the novel’s frequent cursing, sexual content, and violence.

There is a lot of controversy about the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, because many people think it is unsuitable for kids to read as part of a school curriculum. It has been one of the favorite censorship targets according to the American Library Association, but the book should not be banned or challenged. Readers who struggle with depression may be able to relate to the main character, and it could help them feel less alone in their battle. Throughout the book a common theme is curiosity, and the novel is also a good example of language and slang during the 1950’s. Many critics believe that Salinger’s use of language is inappropriate, but it is similar to many high schoolers today.

Controversial books are normally challenged to preserve a safe idea of the world around us to kids and young adults specifically, who may find it hard to process strenuous ideas that imply the world is not as easy and wonderful as it seems. Books such as The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger are constantly challenged due to the profanity and inappropriateness of the book. Many parents and teachers are concerned that upon reading the book, students will change their perspective on life, authority, and non-conformity for the worst. The Catcher in the Rye should not be banned because it’s very relevant to teens this day and age and it has a strong impact with a powerful theme and delivered in a manner that teens are familiar with and can understand.

J.D Salinger’s fictional novel ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ explores ideas of coming of age and challenging society’s morals through the life of Holden Caulfield, the young protagonist of the novel. The term ‘coming of age’ can be defined as when someone reaches an important stage in development and is accepted by a large number of people. The word ‘morals’ is concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction of right and wrong. Themes such as innocence, isolation and youth reside in the novel, the audience is made aware of Caulfield’s view on children’s innocence, the isolation he feels and how he perceives adults as ‘phony’.

J.D. Salinger’s classic novel The Catcher in the Rye has old over sixty-five million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time. The Catcher in the Rye is also one of the most cherished books in the history of American literature, and the novel is taught in many schools across the nation. Salinger’s book is filled with valuable lessons about growing up, but has been the subject of controversy for many years because of its frequent references to premarital sex, underage drinking, and profane language. The Catcher in the Rye has been banned several times in some school districts for its use of adult material, but it always seems to find a way back into classrooms because of its importance to American literature. Still,

Holden’s experience teaches teenages about struggles, in so many ways. For instance in The Catcher in the Rye taught me about self awareness such as realizing you can only change yourself and nobody else. I will never be able to change anyone else actions, but our own. Holden’s struggle with depression hit close to home for me. I know what it’s like to feel so depressed and unstable. However while reading the novel holden’s story made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I finally felt like I had someone who understood my thoughts completely. “I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy” (Salinger 3). I know what it’s like to be pretty run-down, when I was in the hospital for three days before I got admitted in kidspeace.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger will always be considered a classic, but many debate on whether this book should be taught in high school English classes. It in fact should be taught because teenagers can find many aspects of the novel relatable, and can learn from the obvious mistakes of Holden Caulfield and apply the themes of this book to their own lives. Even though the text involves some bad habits, readers should look for the bigger pictures and appreciate the novel for the themes it gives.

Ermert 1 Joshua Ermert Ms. Steele English 10 / Period 4 05 December 2017 Mind of a Teenager Imagine you are going through one of the greatest steps to growing into an adult. You must learn that as a teenager, you are not alone experiencing very traumatic realities, and literature like J.D. Salinger’s the Catcher in the Rye reminds us of that. Many schools have been speculating on the idea of banning this famous novel for the discussion of sensitive and inappropriate material for a high school English curriculum. Catcher goes into more sensitive topics that can help teenagers feel understood and could help teenagers with problems they may be experiencing. Salinger’s hit novel was made very relatable to many teenagers, which can ultimately help

The Catcher in the Rye, a classic book written by JD Salinger, depicts the life of a troubled teenage boy named Holden Caulfield who recalls the events in his life that led up to where he is now. The Catcher in the Rye is considered to be one of the most controversial books in classic literature for dealing with such topics as profanity, teen sex, underage drinking, and immoral activity. I’m here to tell you today that these disputed topics are more beneficial for the development of teens than harmful.

Holden Caulfield, a boy who struggles with his mental health, starts his story by saying, “I’m not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything. I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas” (Salinger 3). Published in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger depicts a three-day journey of Holden as he tries to find out more about himself. Through his struggle, Holden experiences many obstacles and events, such as depression and profanity, that take place in most teenager’s lives, making the book a primary target for banning due to offensive language, suicidal tendencies, sexual content, violence, and outright negativity (Information). Though The Catcher in the Rye contains controversial topics, such as depression, vulgar language, and sexual discrimination, the novel is still relevant and relatable to teens today; therefore, the story should remain an option for students to read.

     J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye has captured the spirit of adolescence, dramatizing Holden Caulfield's vulgar language and melodramatic reactions. Written as the autobiographical account of a fictional teenage prep school student named Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye deals with material that is socially scandalous for the time (Gwynn, 1958). As an emotional, intelligent, and sensitive young man, Holden puts his inner world to the test through the sexual mores of his peers and elders, the teachings of his education, and his own emerging sense of self. Throughout the years, the language of the story has startled readers. Salinger's control of Holden's easy,