Whitfield’s extensive study of Catcher's banning history offers a variety of information on what grounds the book was banned upon and later defends the book. Catcher is easily one of the most frequently banned books in America, and has become a controversial topic due to receiving such flack. Whitfield even goes so far as to uncover that “Category 43 ('Trash') included The Catcher in the Rye," (Whitfield). He uses this to argue that the book was banned for silly or inadequate reasons, being placed in a demeaning literary category and banned. To further his point, Stephen claims that since the book was so openly disputed, most critiques revealed that they had never even read the book. Additionally, Stephen criticized another book of the time
Because of offensive language and ideas that are represented in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, it has been banned in many school libraries and lessons. One of the main reasons that it was banned in school is because of offensive words like the n-word and also because of the fact that the plot is centered around rape. One of the school board members, Kenny Holloway, said, “We can teach the same lessons with other books.” Many people agree with Holloway’s opinion, saying that the same ideas that are represented in To Kill A Mockingbird could be taught with a less controversial book. However, other people say that students are tough enough to handle the story. While many people don’t think that this book is appropriate for school, some people
Fahrenheit 451 was published in 1953 by Ray Bradbury in the US. His book is set in a dystopian society where books are illegal and and thinking is restricted. Instead of firemen putting out fires, they start them.. Bradbury’s famous book has been mainly challenged by middle schools and high schools. While Fahrenheit 451 maybe the most controversial novel in the 20th century, it holds the award as being one of the most notable banned books in history. No other book has been written like this so mysterious and real. The idea of how books are banned doesn’t really matter to most people. While Fahrenheit 451 might include some vulgar language and profanity, it shares ideas that can help young people.
If I was the librarian, I would not get rid of (or censor) any of the books, excluding “Catcher in the Rye.”
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 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
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,
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 one of the most banned books in America across schools, libraries, and book stores, but it should not be as looked down upon as it is. It is banned because partly because of all of the violence and the bad language it uses. Many parents or teachers do not want children to be exposed to those kinds of things so they try to shield them from books such as The Catcher in the Rye. Also, some schools do not want kids having the book because Holden is seen as a rebel because he is constantly getting kicked out of schools because he does not put forth the effort. Parents and schools do not want their children to get the idea that it is ok or even normal for kids to approach school the way Holden does. But, The Catcher in The Rye should not be banned from libraries, schools, or book stores because it shows teenagers how not to act, the importance of friends and family, and that children should not be in a rush to grow up.
In the novel “The Catcher in The Rye” Salinger, the author, uses Holden’s interactions to both criticize society as well as reveal Holden’s symptoms of his psychological problems. In the novel, Salinger presents how unsympathetic people can be towards each other especially if you are like Holden, an emotionally scarred male teenager dealing with past trauma. Salinger also shows us that due to those unsympathetic behaviors and the trauma that comes with dead family members.
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
The Catcher in the Rye was banned and discriminated for multiple reasons, but the prime reason was the containment of “excessive use of amateur swearing and coarse language” and “overt sexuality” (“And Holden” Online; Kerr 49). Critics found the novel to be “wholly repellent in its mingled vulgarity, naïveté, and sly perversion” (“And Holden” Online).
Jerome David Salinger was an American writer born January 1, 1919 in Manhattan, New York. Mr. Salinger is known for his very popular novel “The Catcher in the Rye”, the book has been banned in many schools for profanity minor and major it is also banned for in the book the main character “Holden” technically disses minorities, the mentally disabled and physically disabled, and also women and he uses God’s name in vain all throughout the book. The book was banned or challenged in North Dakota for multiple reasons mainly revolving around sex and sexual intercourse it features multiple scenes and references to prostitution and premarital sex. In 1992, the book was banned in a high school in illinois because of alcohol abuse for in the book Holden is in New York for two nights and both of those nights he was there he was intoxicated at the ripe young age of 16 when the drinking age back then was 18, he was underage drinking in the book for he apparently like to drink A LOT. The book was also banned in the state of Florida for apparently being “unacceptable” but in many occurrences after the book was banned, it was reinstated because apparently the book is in fact very important to american literature.
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 Era of Censorship Ai Weiwei, a chinese contemporary artist, once said, “When you have strict censorship of the internet, young students cannot receive a full education. Their view of the world is imbalanced. There can be no true discussion of the issues.” Young students and readers are being deprived of information that exposes them to real world discussions and situations because school districts and state officials are banning books that they seem too “unsuitable” for young students to read. In the book, Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger focuses on the theme of innocence being protected.