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What Is The Controversy Of The Catcher In The Rye

Decent Essays

There are several issues in our world that come with controversy; whether it’s about our president, or something as small as whether pineapple goes on pizza, arguments will be started over it, and The Catcher in the Rye is no exception to controversy. For over an astounding 50 year period, there has been controversy about The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The novel follows the three day misadventures of a teenager full of angst, Holden Caulfield. Due to its mature content, such as the profanity, violence, sexual situations, and use of underage drinking, the novel has been deemed inappropriate by many critics for a high school assignment. Despite its content, I believe that Catcher in the Rye is definitely a worthwhile novel to be taught to high school students. The novel establishes two things that high school teachers should look for; a strong theme about accepting reality, and the use of symbolism to institute a relatable sense within teens.
One of the main reasons I found Catcher in the Rye to be a worthwhile novel was because of the underlying theme of accepting that growth is inevitable, and coming to terms with the harsh reality that we live in. Through almost the entirety of the novel, Holden narrates his desire to be the protector of the young and innocent. He wants to make sure he keeps the kids innocent and untainted, something that many humans try to do. Because Salinger chooses to address the issue through a teen’s mind, many young adults can learn a

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