In “The Catcher in the Rye”, there is plenty of controversy on the content that is in the book. There are curse words constantly throughout the book. Just that reason alone could be a reason why this book could be censored. If a book has enough controversy to be considered to be banned in schools, there is obviously content from the book that is considered dirty or a bad influence to people. That is a reason that this book is censored. People think it is dirty and could be a bad influence to children. Some people do not want their children going to school and reading books that have that kind of material in it. Some other reasons the book could cause controversy is that it has violence, sexual connotations, and the overall attitude that Holden …show more content…
“The Catcher in the Rye” has some issues about the inappropriate content that is in the book. For example, Holden, the main character, curses more than most people would like to see when reading a book. It seems as though there is at least one curse word in every sentence that he says. That can make people stop reading the book right away once they see that the book is going to be like that. The sexual connotations in the book could also lead to people disliking the book. In the book Holden says, “Sex is something I really don't understand too hot. You never know where the hell you are...Sex is something I just don't understand. I swear to God.”(Salinger 63). Holden talked like that throughout the book, so if students are young or immature, this book would not be good for them. Holden's personality could also repulse readers away. He says that he is depressed more than a few times. When a character is constantly saying how depressed and sad they are, it makes the reader enjoy the book less because they also feel that way …show more content…
Some books are just not meant to be read by a variety of different people. Most parents would not want to have their children reading books that have curse words galore. Even though some or even most parents would not have a problem with that, a few would be absolutely furious if they found out their kids were reading what they considered a dirty book. So I believe that schools should ban some books in order to stay away from upsetting parents. Some parents do not use that language, nor want their kids using or being exposed to that kind of language. There is no need to force students to read those kinds of books, since they can always get a book from the library if they want to read the book of their choosing. If parents are fine with their child reading books that have controversial content, they can get the book for their child themselves. I believe that once someone turns a certain age though, it is no longer up to the parents to decide what their children are exposed to. When a student is in the 11th grade, that is when the student starts to have more responsibility for themselves. That is when students are usually driving and on their way to becoming adults. They are no longer immature for the most part, and I strongly believe that they could read a book that is dirty without it being a big deal. It would get the students to grow up a little bit, and learn to deal with the fact that everything does not
The act of banning something is an aggressive measure. However, this being said whether to ban Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has long been debated. While some say that the book is offensive and disrespectful, others claim it to be a valuable learning lesson. Because of its beneficial lessons, its way of shocking the reader, its reputation as being one of the best novels in american history along with other controversial books being allowed in high schools, The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn should be read by every High School across the country.
Despite being a worldwide best seller, J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye has been on the banned books list since 1961 ( (Baldassarro). The Catcher in the Rye tells the short journey, of anti-hero Holden Caulfield, between the end of the fall semester and Christmas break (Salinger). The story begins when Holden is expelled from his school, Pency Prep, for failing a majority of his classes (Salinger). Holden knows he must return home, so he attempts to prolong the scolding he will receive from his parents, for being expelled, by venturing around Manhattan until it becomes necessary to return to his home (Salinger). Holden tells his story in the most vulgar way possible. Holden accounts being offered a prostitute by an elevator operator when he asks, “Innarested a little tail t’night?” (Salinger 91). Offensive language is also used throughout the book, for example, “You’re a dirty stupid sonuvabitch of a moron” (Salinger 44). Underage drinking is also one of Holden’s favorite passtimes as evident in the quote, “I ordered a scotch and soda, and told him not to mix it- I said it fast as hell, because if you hem and haw, they think you’re under twenty-one and won’t sell you any intoxicating liquor” (Salinger 69). These three quotes express the precise justifications for banning books: sexually explicit content, offensive language, and underage drug use (Association). Although, many consider The Catcher in the Rye to be morally wrong, it should not ...
Did you ever think that books that have sex, obscene language, and immoral subjects can make a good book? The Catcher in the Rye has been on the banned reading list for exactly those reasons. The book was mainly put on disapproval from between 1966 and 1975 in almost every school district in the United States. The book was said to be so bad that in 1960 a teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was fired for assigning the book to an eleventh-grade English class. Despite some opposition to the novel, however, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye should be on a reading list for the freshman students because it gives a crystal clear image on how the world is in violence, sex, and obscenity and the book also teaches the motifs of lying and deception.
Catcher In The Rye was written in 1951 and for this time period, the book’s content was extremely ahead of its time. Its frequent foul language and sex-driven themes led it to be banned by several school systems across the country since its release.
The banning of books started way back, back in 1637 to be exact (America’s First Banned Book and the Battle for the Soul of the Country). The banning of New English Canaan by Thomas Morton ignited a spark, but as years gone by, the spark has evolved into a roaring flame(America’s First Banned Book and the Battle for the Soul of the Country). In 1951, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was published ("Catcher in the Rye is published"). Ever since its publication, it has been the target to many people for this simple question: should the book be banned? As a matter of fact, in a mere 10 to 20 years, the book was added to the banned book list(Banned Book: The Catcher in the Rye). This angered many readers in the United States, and some tried
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, people, and experiences. Holden's psychological battle within himself serves as the tool that uncovers the coming-of-age novel's underlying themes of teen angst, depression, and the disingenuous nature of society. The novel tackles issues of blatant profanity, teenage sex, and other erratic behavior. Such issues have supplemented the controversial nature of the book and in turn, have sparked the question of whether or not this book should be banned. The novel, The Catcher In the Rye, should not be banned from inclusion in the literature courses taught at the high school level.
Banning and challenging books started to become recognized almost as a problem in 1982, when the largest number of books at the time had been challenged as not suitable or appropriate for an age group. Ever since then books are criticized for sexual content, going against religious beliefs, language and vulgarity, violence, drugs, self-harm, racism, occult/satanic views, promoting gangs, and going against community standards. An example of a book that has been banned is The Catcher in The Rye by J. D. Salinger, since it has been banned from multiple libraries and schools for sexual and vulgar content (Santipr). Many people whose books have been challenged or banned have argued that the first amendment says something different. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
...and controversial. These individuals have not recognized the sincerity of the novel and the potential it holds to change one’s view on life and on other people. The novel is purposely written in a way to raise feelings, help readers to identify with characters, and reveal reality. The Catcher in the Rye has been studied in Language Arts for years in schools and should be continued, as it will be beneficial to students. Language Arts is undeniably an art, just as music is an art. One does not eliminate and replace the notes composed in a symphony simply because it has been perceived as fallacious. Similar to that symphony, the Catcher in the Rye has been engraved with evocative words that make it as prominent as it has been to this day, and should remain unchanged forever.
“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”(1) This is a quote from author Mark Twain in response to the banning of his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from public libraries. Huckleberry Finn has proven to be one of the most controversial books in the United States since its first publication in the 1880s. Many people disagree with the language and themes of this book, and bemoan the teaching of it in public high schools. Others argue that Mark Twain’s narrative is an important work of American literature and students that are mature enough for these topics should be exposed to it. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain should not be banned from public high school curriculums because it teaches students about Southern culture in the 19th century, introduces students to information for learning and discussion, and brings up social issues that need to be addressed in today’s society.
I disliked “Catcher in the Rye”. There seems to be no actual, concrete plot to this novel. The novel is essentially a really long flashback of the three days Holden spent in New York. Nothing memorable happens in the novel; I think that the novel is basically an endless repetition of Holden complaining and whining about everyone else. I personally could not bring myself to sympathize with Holden, much less empathize with him. I feel like the novel is just a long rant by an immature teenage boy who thinks he knows everything about humanity and their ‘phoniness’. At first, I found the novel’s style of writing quite unique and even enjoyable, as Holden seems to be talking honestly and openly to me. However, as I read the book, I found his sarcastic, cynical voice to become quite annoying. Holden is a complex central character. He is judgmental, criticizing everybody, often labelling people as “phony”. He is pessimistic, and sees nothing in a positive light. Holden does not care much about anything, and he seems to hate everyone except for himself and his sister, Phoebe. This is seen when he says “One of my troubles is, I never care too much when I lose something... Some guys spend days looking for something they lost. I never seem to have anything that if I lost it I'd care too much.” and “I thought what I'd do was, I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes. That way I wouldn't have to have any goddam stupid use...
Whether it be Maurice beating him up, to the teachers that always want something from him, or Mr. Antolini, Holden creates an atmosphere where adults are all corrupt. Lastly, Holden wholeheartedly expresses his atheistic beliefs which goes against the common thread of religion. Holden reminds the reader that he is not religious and “[his] parents are different religions, and all of the children in [their] family are atheists. If you want to know the truth, [he] can’t even stand ministers...They sound so phony when they talk” (112). For many religious schools or town, this poses a threat to their mutual understanding with teenagers, who can make their own choices about religion. There have been numerous occasions where religion is one of the key reasons to ban the book. Catcher, however controversial, uses these disputes to talk about the real issues that schools and adults refuse. Catcher will always be considered controversial, from its language to adult and contentious themes, however Holden remains the constant, unadulterated voice of J. D. Salinger’s skepticism of the corrupt adult
Banning books from public schools and public libraries is wrong. It’s irrational to have a parent or school board member’s opinion determine what a school district should be reading. Books including and not limited to, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Flies, and Animal Farm all have one thing in common. They have all at one time or another been subject to banishment. These literary classics have been around for a long time and proved to be vital to the education of many, especially children and adolescents. These novels teach values and educate children about world affairs that can not come from an everyday experience. These controversial novels encompass the materials that ultimately boost our educational wealth. Banning books infringe
“ I ordered a scotch and soda and told him not to mix it – I said it fast as hell, because if you hem and haw, they think you are under twenty-one and won’t sell you any intoxicating liquor.” Quoted from Holden Caulfield the smoking, cursing, drinking prostitute soliciting, protagonist of the novel, The Catcher In the Rye. The novel follows only a few days of Holden’s life, but exploits Holden’s reckless behavior and poor decision making skills; therefore encouraging bad behavior on young readers. The story also follows a constant repetition of inappropriate words and swears; that one might consider profane. Lastly the story contains inappropriate scenes and dialogue that is sexually explicit. The adult content found in this novel makes it unsuitable for eighth graders. The Catcher In the Rye must be banned from usage in the eighth grade curriculum and the school environment.
The book The Catcher in the Rye was published in the year 1951 and has been the subject of constant debates and controversies. The novel has not only been the target of criticism, but has also sparked discussions on its effectiveness for use in high schools. The novel is about a period of three days in the life of Holden Caulfield. The novel’s most criticised points are its issues such as profanity, irrational behavior, and teenage sex, but it still gives very important lessons to young readers because it teaches tolerance, discipline, religion, and rational behavior. More specifically it teaches that desirable behavior will make them and society better, and as such, I do not think it should be banned from high school curriculum. This paper analyzes the reasons why The Catcher in the Rye should not be banned from English classes that are taught in high schools.
Censorship has been a big part of the world’s history and especially America’s history. One of the most quoted amendments to the United States constitution is the first amendment; “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ...” This amendment guaranteeing free speech, press, and religion is still heavily debated and contested today. Censorship, as a challenge to free speech and press has been allowed many times and has been heavily debated itself. Many people censor for many different reasons and in many different forms. Censorship itself is not always a bad thing and has in some cases been used for protection of the general population.