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, …show more content…
The novel contains a lot of profanity 一 that’s no lie, and many parents fear that their kids reading the book will be overexposed to the curse words that Salinger uses. For example, when Holden is in the school visiting Phoebe, he sees the same vulgar word written on the wall several times, making him mad. “Somebody had written ‘Fuck you’ on the wall. It drove me damn near crazy … I went down a different staircase, and I saw another ‘Fuck you’ on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on … If you had a million years to do it, you couldn’t even rub out half of the ‘Fuck you’ signs in the world. It is impossible” (Doc 1). While some may think the “‘Fuck you’s’” are nothing more than vulgarity that does nothing but violate reader’s minds, with the correct teaching and guidance that schools offer, students will realize that they’re actually creative literary symbols. The repetitive use of “‘Fuck you’” in this passage is on symbol that Salinger uses to teach a lesson. The world isn’t always going to be one hundred percent “clean” or “pure,” and that’s one aspect of life that everyone has to grasp as they get older. Furthermore, a 2012 edition of the magazine Teen Ink had an article concerning on the issue of banning The Catcher in the Rye. The article says, “In 1985, it [the novel] was banned in a high school in Florida for being “unacceptable”. But what is interesting is that in many occurrences, after the book was banned, it was later reinstated … Not even its vulgar language … can stop teachers from teaching this American classic” (Doc 3). The Catcher in the Rye is one of the most important books in the history of American literature, so schools almost feel obligated to teach it. Salinger may have used profanity pretty liberally in the
For many years people have argued about the inclusion of The Cather in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger in the high school english curriculum. This is such due to the inappropriate and adult oriented themes within If considered, many times within the novel the main character will face situations in which that the negative and vulgar themes will blossom into something meaningful that the reader can benefit from as a person and as a student. While the vulgarity and adult themes in The Catcher in the Rye are indeed inappropriate for adolescent students, ultimately its underlying themes of self discovery and possessing moral values provides life and ethical lessons that can be applied in the classroom as well as on a daily basis and therefore, 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
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.
The Catcher in the Rye was J.D. Salinger’s first step onto the literary playing field. This commencing status left Salinger, as a serious author, unique as a sort of liberated agent, not confine to one or more schools of critics, resembling many of his contemporaries were.
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.
"Holden Caufield, the protagonist, swears steadily throughout the book. His curses are of the tamest kind, though, "damn", "hell", "crap", "ass", and he curses so self-consciously and so consistently that the words lose most of their vulgarity. Most of the cursing in the book would not even be rated PG-13 if it were in a movie," (Chandler).
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,
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 is a novel about a teen/adult named Holden Caulfield that took place in the 1950’s in New York which is the perfect setting for a kid to become an adult because of its size, but Holden Caulfield was telling the story in a mental hospital in California. Throughout the novel Holden is transitioning from a kid to an adult and he takes us along with him to experience what it is like to become an adult. Due to the fact that Holden is maturing, J.D. Salinger, the author of the Catcher in the Rye, decides it is appropriate to disregard censorship and so the book contains a lot of vulgar and inappropriate scenes. J.D. Salinger published the Catcher in the Rye and about ten years
If there is one book that has been banned in more school libraries than any other, it’s The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. First published in 1946, this novel has served as milestone for books that vividly describe the angst that comes from surviving the awkward years of teenage hood. Throughout the novel , various values of society of then and now are displayed through the various characters in the text. The values shown in the differ between the different archetype.
Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger provides its readers with societal values of the 1950s time period by examining the actions of the main character, Holden Caulfield. Salinger possibly had written this classic novel in order to give an analytical view on the society of the 1950s. In an obscure matter, J.D. Salinger provides examples of society’s faults; in other words the reader must assess further about the main message of the novel, the hidden message(s). For instance, in one case, a library banned Catcher in the Rye because of moral issue concerns, excessive violence and anything dealing with the occult. Furthermore, the novel, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger portrays a philosophical criticism of society by challenging its ethics, morals, and To begin, ethical values of society ignite an internal conflict
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.
The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951, and since its publication it has been considered by many to be controversial or inappropriate. As a result, it was banned numerous times in educational settings, and this continues to occur today. The main reasons for its reputation are the abundance of swearing and cursing, scenes involving sexual intercourse and prostitution, and underage drinking. These factors have led to the prohibition of this book being read for class as well as countless complaints from parents in schools that do allow it. However, society has undergone significant change since The Catcher in the Rye’s publication, rendering the majority of the points of controversy outdated and irrelevant.
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,