Censorship of The Catcher in the Rye

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Recommended: Effects of censorship in literature

Censorship/banning of certain books help protect children from the evil ways of the world that they should not see until an older, more mature age. Books with cruel language and mature thoughts and circumstances should only be read by teen children or young adults. At a more mature age students are more likely to be able to comprehend the content within the book. As well as a lower chance of the students being frightened by the crude language and activities found within the text than a younger child might be. Young children are impressionable and these types of books may leave unpleasant thoughts and influence behaviors now as well as the futures of the children. The banning of books such as The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and others as well, should only be banned up to eighth grade in school. On the other hand, some people may believe that books should never be banned in school. According to Oscar Wilde, the author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, stated that “The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame”(BuzzFeed). Banning of books does hide the truth about the world from children. At the same time it is to protect them from the evil of the world at a young age. If books were banned until a certain grade this would not shield children from the truth of the world forever. This would shield children from the world until the proper age that they could understand the text. Children are impressionable and will take in mind and repeat everything they hear and read. It is not wise to give children a book that is more mature than they are and expect them to not take the inappropriate and vulgar language and use it in their life, that is to say that it does not frighten them. In the book... ... middle of paper ... ...in high school and are normally subjected to crude language and sexual content throughout the day, so this would also give them a better understanding of the book. Banning of certain books help protect children from the evil ways of the world that they should not see until an older, more mature age. The cruel language and violence within this book may influence children to act out and may possibly alter their future. Works Cited BuzzFeed." Community. N.p., 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. . Salinger, J. D. "Six." The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. 40-41. Print. Salinger, J.D. “Thirteen.” The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. 93-94. Print. Salinger, J.D. “Fourteen.” The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. 103. Print.

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