Why Is Catcher In The Rye Still Relevant Today

The main reason for the banning of this novel is because of the profanity according to NCAC. NCAC states that this novel has " been challenged or banned due to objections to profanity." Therefore this novel should be banned from high schools and libraries. The use of profanity causes a sense of disproportion for the youthful minds reading this publication.

Holden’s immaturity causes him many problems throughout the story. Although he is physically mature, he acts more like a child. “All of a sudden I

The Catcher in the Rye is a novel by J.D. Salinger. It is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a cynical teenager who recently got expelled from his fourth school. Though Holden is the narrator and main character of the story, the focus of Salinger’s tale is not on Caulfield, but of the world in which we live. The Catcher in the Rye is an insatiable account of the realities we face daily seen through the eyes of a bright young man whose visions of the world are painfully truthful, if not a bit jaded. Salinger’s book is a must-read because its relatable symbolism draws on the reader’s emotions and can easily keep the attention of anyone.

The main reason was because the book mentioned discussions of being drunk, smoking cigarettes, profanity, and using God’s name in vain. Criticizer Diana Verm stated "The book had a bunch of very bad language in it. It shouldn’t be in there because it’s offending people.” Altom Verm also said "It's just all kinds of filth.” Just because you find “offensive” terms in the book, doesn’t mean it has to be barred from everybody. Alton Verm has stated he hasn’t read the book. (yourhoustonnews.com Kassia Meck) His only reason for wanting it to be banned is because he finds it “too offensive.” I find it nefarious that a book can be banned just because it doesn’t fit someone’s ideal opinion. The ALA states “The ALA promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular” (ALA mission statement) This just goes to show that what you believe, shouldn’t have an impact on others. I don’t believe a book should be banned from a school district for those

“The Catcher in the Rye” is about a sixteen year old teenager talking about the story of his mental break down. It is really impressive because J.D. Salinger’s writing style is very direct as if Holden is talking exclusively to me and telling me about his struggles between childhood and adulthood. “The Catcher in the Rye” illustrates Holden’s hope to protect childhood innocence from adult phoniness.

The first reason why this book was banned was the author’s use of offensive language. In the story, Rex Wall, who is Jeannette’s father, is the one who frequently says a lot of offensive languages. He has been saying a lot of words including: damn, hell, s---, screw, c--k, crap, c--t, a--, b--ch, b--tard, whore, p-ss, faggot, w-nker and the f-word. He also keeps repeating the

Salinger wrote this novel in 1951, The Catcher In The Rye was published at a time when the burgeoning American industrial economy made the nation prosperous and entrenched social rules which were to be followed especially by the younger generations.Because Salinger used slang and profanity in his text and because he discussed adolescent sexuality in a complex and open way, many readers were offended, and this caused great controversy once the book was actually released. Holden rejects middle class norms and is very bulgar when referring to things. He faces alcoholism, and constantly smokes. Salinger did not censor himself as Holden Caulfield and the vulgarity itself was enough to challenge the book. Some schools have banned it for including sex and the abuse of drugs. Some people took what was being sad in the book too serious, and John Lennon was actually murdered because his killer believed he was a phony person. Although The Catcher in the Rye is one of the most controversial books ever written, it is still taught in many English classes all around the United States, including all IB schools. Loved by many teenagers and adults for its rebellious characteristics, It is banned for its profanity, sexual content, and violence by many schools from the 60’s to the present.Its Literary importance isn’t lowered and some schools still decide to keep it for that very

Holden is very immature and cannot act his age for anything. In the beginning of the story, Holden was very immature and self-centered and he often did very immature things, but he wanted to be an adult. This is very contradicting considering that he is very immature. In the novel, Holden states, “Boy! I said. I also say Boy! quite a lot. Partly because I have a lousy vocabulary and partly because I act quite young for my age sometimes. I was sixteen then, and I'm seventeen now, and sometimes I act like I'm about thirteen.” (Salinger 16). This shows how Holden is very immature and needs to start acting his age and this could be dangerous to society. This is why he needs to stay inside the mental facility. In the mental facility, he will be safe and he will not cause any harm to anyone or to himself

The Catcher in the Rye has always been a book of controversy. Schools have banned it due to its vivid description of how a teeneger observes the world. Holden who is The protagonist’s sees the world as very morbid place for young people. Many people believe the book brings up controversial topics that should not be discussed among minors such as Holden Caulfield. Most of the topics expressed in the book could be acceptable in today's society but it caused many concerns and issues around the time it was released, 1951. In my opinion however this book has one of the greatest qualities in literature and thats relating to the reader. It should not be banned because adolescents have been able to identify with Holden’s

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.

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,

Readers can see this when he goes to Ernie’s in chapter twelve; Holden tells his waiter, “I can't sit in a corny place like this cold sober. Can'tcha stick a little rum in it or something?" (Salinger 78). Later in the novel, Holden is still exhibiting this destructive behavior. After his meeting with Luce in chapter nineteen, he states, “I kept sitting there getting drunk” (Salinger 165). This illegal content sets poor example on impressionable teens. Smoking is a go to for Holden as well; whenever Holden is in an uncomfortable situation he automatically reaches for a cigarette. Once again Holden is also under the legal smoking age. The novel takes place over three days and within that time period Holden smokes well over a pack of cigarettes. “Finally, I got up and went out in the living room and got some cigarettes out of the box on the table and stuck some in my pocket. I was all out" (Salinger 183). This once again glorifies illegal activity in the novel and sets a bad example. Prostitution is also present in the novel. In chapter thirteen Holden feels lonelier than usual, so he hires a prostitute. This proves that sex is prevalent throughout the novel. Holden even calls himself “the biggest sex maniac you ever saw” (Salinger 70). The inappropriateness of this subject is another reason teens should not be able to read this novel. The Catcher in the Rye should be banned for the many instances of illegal activities throughout the novel.

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.

The Catcher in the Rye features a multitude of examples in which Holden is overwhelmingly suicidal and represents undesirable viewpoints. At one point in the novel, Holden admits, “what I really felt like though, was committing suicide” (Salinger 116). His pessimistic attitude and outlook on life can have a negative effect on the reader. “[The book] has been banned on the lighter premises of using profanities and being sexually explicit/suggestive, while it has also been banned for darker interpretations of the book, such as being part of a Communist plot, anti-religious, and promotive of homosexuality and perversion” (Bohan). The supports for banning are prevalent throughout the book, with no doubt that they are factual reasons. Nevertheless, the literary value and representation of adolescents in any time period overwhelm the reasons for banning the book.

However if they get criticized, why should not the adults be too? However, if that does not work they will attend to act like adults, try to be independent and experiment with unfamiliar things as sex and alcohol. Yet they cannot transform overnight, resultantly the child in them comes forth once the responsibility becomes too much to handle. And this is all a part of young adolescents ways to find themselves and their own identity. Which brings us to the question, is Holden a ‘rebel without a cause’?