The novel, The Catcher in the Rye, should be studied in schools because it is a realistic take on a teenager’s mind during a traumatic event. Although this novel does contain vulgar language and sexual content that has been frequently challenged in many states by multiple school districts. However, it is a practical story that shows what it is like to overcome obstacles that set you back and should be decided by the views of the school and parents.
J.D. Salinger wrote this novel in a different period of time that expresses how he views the world around him. He uses aspects of his life to mold this story into the frame and it allows us to discover what a complex man he was. This novel allows us to understand how a teenager handles a difficult
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"Kids pick up swear words from a variety of sources, ranging from an older sibling to the bus driver to a rented video movie" (Parents 1). Adults may not be too comfortable with this new vocabulary that children are engaging in and they will want it to stop. Foul language is a sensitive topic for many adults, however, vulgar language can engage many readers by hearing the author’s expressions and how they truly feel. "It allows individuals and organizations to criticize their government's policies, report on matters of public interest, and generally express opinions on any given subject” (Freedom 1). Also, students can better understand this material when it’s coming from a teacher who understands it better than they do. "... exposure to controversial material is not as critical as the war in which it is presented by the teacher" (Young 3). Controversial material such as inappropriate language makes the reader relate to the subject at …show more content…
Death can be a mature topic for kids and might not comprehend but high school is a time period were most teenagers start acting like adults. “Death is an aspect of life that is not only inevitable but also painful, especially for children. Children do not have the knowledge or experience that adults have” (Cox 1). Once teenagers start acting like adults, that is when they are not relying on their parents and can’t turn to them for guidance. "Holden sorely misses being able to turn his parents in his time of trouble" (Rosen 3). The main character experiences something that many individuals will have to handle and it should be shown to them earlier so they know how to deal with it. Most teenagers can relate to the main character of this novel because they all had to deal with death at some point in their life. "...at Allie's funeral...revealing the source of his wound and the traumatic occasion when he first really felt the pain of it" (Rosen 3). Allowing this novel to be taught in classrooms would make kids more involved and aware of the community around them as it did Holden."...Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War gave purpose to Holden's passive nihilism..." (Young 3). When the reader sees Holden experience conflict in his life, it makes the readers more interested in why he feels that way and who in society has caused these things to
Due to J.D Salinger’s personal and relatable narrative treatment, Catcher in the Rye continues to engage audiences, even 64 years after it was first published. The way the book deals with alienation and disillusionment in regards to Holden’s past trauma - through the closeness of first person narration and conversational writing among other techniques - creates a personal connection to Holden’s character and helps adolescents relate his troubles to their own.
middle of paper ... ... I believe that Catcher In The Rye needs to be partially banned. By that, I mean that its contents possess very mature themes that children under the age of 12 probably should not be exposed to in public schools. Now if their parents want to let them read it on their own, then that is none of the school’s or anyone else’s concern.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is an enthralling and captivating novel about a boy and his struggle with life. The teenage boy ,Holden, is in turmoil with school, loneliness, and finding his place in the world. The author J.D. Salinger examines the many sides of behavior and moral dilemma of many characters throughout the novel. The author develops three distinct character types for Holden the confused and struggling teenage boy, Ackley, a peculiar boy without many friends, and Phoebe, a funny and kindhearted young girl.
The Catcher in the Rye has been described, analyzed, rebuffed, and critiqued over the years. Each writer expresses a different point of view: It is a story reflecting teen-ager's talk--thoughts-emotions--actions; or angst. I believe it is an adult's reflection of his own unresolved grief and bereavements. That adult is the author, J.D. Salinger. He uses his main character, Holden, as the voice to vent the psychological misery he will not expose -or admit to.
In the 1950’s, many Americans were refusing to conform to the changes in society that took place after World War II. J.D Salinger published The Catcher In the Rye to show through all males adolescent’s eyes some of the struggles teens go through, loosely based on the author’s life. Salinger uses Holden Caulfield, a distressed adolescent, to develop the theme of “phoniness” of the adult world, through the use of metaphors and hyperboles.
in the advanced placement class for its universal message, not for its profanity, but they gave parents the right to decide whether or not their
Salingers Novel is told in first person perspective by a seventeen year old Holden Coufeild who longs for the attention and care of those around him subconsciously. This HC makes everybody empathize with him compared to the lousy sixteen year old who its happening to and cant get anybody to listen. Immediately, as the story begins HC disregards his “lousy childhood” and his “whole damn autobiography” to explain how he got to this “crumby place”(Salinger 1). Immediately HC had a lousy attitude towards the world. Perhaps Salinger is trying to express his feelings through his character and imply that his feelings of void also derive from his parents. Very rarely are his parents involved in his life. As a teenager he has already been sent to four different boarding schools that may have caused him to feel neglected. HC indirectly points out the indiscretions of our parents. Salinger describes all the wrongs of growing up, that its almost all the things he would change if he could go back in time.
Holden feels as if he is stuck in his 13 year old self. Although he is aging he isn’t necessarily maturing the way his classmates and other people are around him. This is due to the fact that he never received closure when Allie died. When he starts picturing his own funeral because he might get pneumonia and die, he remembers D.B. telling him about his brother's funeral. He stated, “I wasn’t there. I was still in the hospital. I had to go to the hospital and all after I hurt my hand” (Salinger 171). Since he never attended the funeral he never got to say his final goodbyes to the one person he truly loved. Holden feels as if he can’t connect with anyone else in the world like he did with Allie. If he did then he would most likely push them away, so he wouldn’t have to experience the trauma of loss again, because it greatly impacted his life the first time. The trauma Holden experienced when he was younger resulted in him not being able to form stronger relationships with people which made him more depressed and
In J.D. Salinger’s novel Catcher in the Rye, she uses extended metaphors, and syntax to allow the reader not only to make their own opinions of Holden, but also view his outlook upon the world as he grows up. Salinger continuously feeds the reader the theme of the book is, life being like a game and adolescence.
After World War II J.D. Salinger joined the ranks of the exceptionally adept authors that came about after the heinous second world war. Salinger, fueled by his experiences from the war, addressed many concerns and issues, most of which are timeless. Due to many of his astounding pieces, and his fresh outlook on society, is considered a phenomenal, classic, American author. One that is responsible for many renowned, coming of age novels, as well as a number of agonizing critiques of the society that has been cultured. The Catcher in the Rye and, “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” are two of his most acclaimed works, both wrestling with the concept concerning the conservation of innocence, a main talking point of Salinger. This is visible through many similarities between the two works. In The Catcher in the Rye, “A Perfect Day for Bananafish,” and, J.D. Salinger: A Life the characters share common internal conflicts regarding the people that they have become, this central conflict aids in conveying Salingers overwhelming claim that when faced with great ordeals, any figurative wounds attained, affect a person in every aspect of life.
Teens all over the world today are always facing problems with their future and whether or not they want to conform to society, and that has become a very common problem with most adolescents, many have no idea what they want to do and how they’re going to do it. But this doesn’t just affect the people in today's society it has been a problem for decades it affects almost everyone. Even though Holden Caulfield is growing up in the 50’s and is facing many problems with his future, his inability to communicate, his emotional issues, and his understanding of society make JD Salinger’s novel The Catcher in The Rye a relevant story today.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger use in public schools has been banned and challenged many times. There are many concerns surrounding the teaching of this novel. Holden, a high school student, is the main character. The story follows Holden as he struggles to deal with his brother’s death. The novel should be taught in public schools; however, it shouldn’t be taught to everyone.The book has many moral lessons that are appropriate for students in high school.
it. The author of Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, tells an interesting story about a boy who has avoided his home after getting kicked out his fourth school. This boy, Holden Caulfield, loves perfection and innocence. Holden is a strange character, he makes a snowball, but can’t throw it, imagines the museum as a perfect place because things don’t change, daydreams about his childhood sweetheart constantly, and after seeing “F” you written on the walls of the school, Holden tries to erase every one of them. Life for Holden is sad and uplifting at the same time, but he has to face the fact that he is growing up and can’t be the protector of children. Holden tries to imagine that everything is perfect and the children are innocent without realizing the truth.
In Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, Holden Caulfield has trouble comprehending the idea of adulthood. He had to accept and move on from the death of his younger brother Allie, at a pivotal age, the beginning of his high school career. This hardship has forced Holden to grow up quicker then he would like to because he has to cope with his emotions and continue succeeding in school. In an attempt to reconnect with his childhood, Holden does everything he can to protect innocence. Holden Caulfield’s nostalgia causes him to protect both his own innocence, and the innocence of others at all costs.
All-in all, Salinger?s writing style is one of unique, masterminded inventiveness. Some may argue that Salinger has done nothing unique or inventive, but he has combined so many various and beautifully executed writing styles and devices of literature that no one on earth could argue against the fact that J.D. Salinger has masterminded a classic novel that has already lasted over sixty years as a great and controversial story. The examples of relationships, society, and life itself that Salinger has created in The Catcher in the Rye are so exquisite and so timeless that they have already reserved the novel a place in history as one of the greatest stories of all time. As simple and easily understood as the story is, the morals behind the plot and the subtle symbolism scattered all throughout Holden?s tale have turned the teenager?s journey into an epic excursion.