Catcher In The Rye Analysis

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A classic for many reasons. This is what I think when reading the book Catcher in the Rye. This book is an icon of it’s time, and reflected well the age of I think that this book... While this book is very well written and cultivates questions for the reader as they relate to the characters, due to some of this book's context, if it were translated into a movie it would most certainly obtain an R rating. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger should have a qualifier to read the book of being 17 and up.
There are many opposed to the book The Catcher in the Rye, one article that shows the controversy is one by TIMES. The first rise of concern of this book was in Tulsa Oklahoma in 1960, where after a teacher incorporated the novel into the curriculum, was fired. In Columbus Ohio, the book was even accused of …show more content…

One thing that might be too much for younger readers is all the use of curse words. Just to show a few places that have vulgar language, “She should’ve carried a goddam telephone around with her” (71), “..’you give me a royal pain in the ass..’” (173), “... I asked her how she could date a show-off bastard like Al Pike” (176), “Somebody’d written ‘Fuck you’ on the wall” (260). Anyone walking through any high school will hear a number of these things, but the frequent casual usage, and having to read them over and over may be much for some younger, more sheltered readers. Another part of the book that causes this book to need to be read by mature readers was the sexual content. “ I figured if she was a prostitute and all, I could get some practice in on her, in case I ever get married or anything” (121). Here is where Holden is waiting for a prostitute in a hotel room. Nothing ends up happening

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  • Banning The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

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    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.

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  • Catcher in the Rye Essay: Eight Early Reviews

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    All through the book, Holden, as well as his "friends", uses vulgar language. Because of this, Longstreth feels the book is "not fit for children." Although vulgar language is used in the real world, it was very rarely encountered in literature. Other critics agreed with Longstreth, Peterson said the book was "obscene," while Smith warned readers "be advised to let the book alone" if they are bothered by this language. It is Jones' feeling that this language could only be mouthed by a "disturbed adolescent," and that Holden is "immoral and perverted" (Longstreth).

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  • The Catcher in the Rye Should Be Banned

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

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  • Should The Great Gatsby Be Banned

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    An example of this content is in the book “I looked at Miss Baker, wondering what it was she got done. I enjoyed looking at her” (Fitzgerald 13-14). This is a clear example of why the novel should be banned. As Nick Carraway is meeting Tom and Daisy Buchanan, their friend Jordan Baker is at the house. Nick then goes on to talk to her and describe her in an inappropriate manner. “She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage, which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet. Her gray sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite reciprocal curiosity out of a wan, charming, discontented face” (Fitzgerald 1.13-14). These comments are clearly unsuitable for anyone in elementary, and could even be argued that they are inappropriate for middle/high school. These adult references can wrongly influence someone who reads the novel that based on the kind of person Nick is, that it is okay to do what he does. The comment could also not be understood by the reader, which could be in a classroom/library. One more reason the novel should be banned is because it promotes alcoholism and illegal business. "I found out what your 'drug stores' were.’ He turned to us and spoke rapidly. ‘He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol

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  • Pros And Bannings Of The Catcher In The Rye

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    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).

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  • Censorship for J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main themes of Catcher in the Rye did have parts to do with sexual interaction and alcohol. Yes, these things are often frowned upon in our society for teenagers or “young adults.” Teachers and parents seem to believe for the most part that students who read this book are more likely to join in on sexual activity or drinking alcohol at an illegal age. The students should be given more credit than that. Although this society is a lot of “follow the leader,” that does not mean these kids would feel the need to do this activities.

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  • Reasons For Banning Catcher In The Rye

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    Profanity and violence are everywhere. The same profanity used in The Catcher in the Rye is used in PG-13 movies which are recommended to kids 13 and older. In this novel, Holden Caulfield says things such as, “You never know where the hell you are”, and “I swear to God I don't” (63). Because of this use of profanity, many schools have banned The Catcher in the Rye, but many of those schools have reinstated the book due to them recognising its literary importance. Excluding this novel in the curriculum will not protect students from profanity and violence that are shown daily in our lives. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel about a rebellious teenager facing psychological trouble, who gets expelled from his school at 16 and goes on a journey to New York City. It was not meant to teach children profanity and

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  • The Catcher In The Rye Literary Analysis

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some people feel all alone in this world, with no direction to follow but their empty loneliness. The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D Salinger, follows a sixteen-year-old boy, Holden Caulfield, who despises society and calls everyone a “phony.” Holden can be seen as a delinquent who smokes tobacco, drinks alcohol, and gets expelled from a prestigious boarding school. This coming-of-age book follows the themes of isolation, innocence, and corrupted maturity which is influenced from the author's life and modernism, and is shown through the setting, symbolism, and diction.

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  • Holden Caulfield Maturity

    1370 Words  | 3 Pages

    The novel ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ written by J.D. Salinger portrays the struggle with maturity, and is perceived through the main character, Holden Caulfield. J.D. Salinger's fictional novel, published in 1951, is a coming-of-age story read by many adolescents but has been originally intended for an adult audience who would be able to relate to Holden’s idea that the adult world contains a certain insincerity attached to it. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ presents the distressing idea that despite the amount of action taken to evade or ignore it, maturity is inevitable.

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  • J.D. Salinger's A Catcher in the Rye

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    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 ...

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  • The Catcher In the Rye Should Not be Banned

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

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  • Catcher in the Rye

    966 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Catcher in the Rye”, written by J.D Salinger, is a coming-of-age novel. Narrated by the main character, Holden Caulfield, he recounts the days following his expulsion from his school. This novel feels like the unedited thoughts and feelings of a teenage boy, as Holden narrates as if he is talking directly to readers like me. I dislike “Catcher in the Rye”. There seems to be no actual, concrete plot to this novel.

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  • Catcher In The Rye Thesis

    423 Words  | 1 Pages

    Since its publication, the novel, The Catcher in the Rye has been a source of controversy. Holden Caulfield is placed in questionable situations due to his alienation from society and desire to protect the innocent.

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  • Inappropriate Language In Catcher In The Rye

    218 Words  | 1 Pages

    The use of offensive and inappropriate words often deems a book indecent for children to read. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is a victim of being censored and banned because of the language used in the story. Passages in the book contain large amounts of profanity, which many have taken offense to. In fact, research has shown that a whopping five percent of the novel consists of words that were inappropriate during the time period in which the book was published (Taylor). The use of profanity in The Catcher in the Rye is the biggest reason as to why many schools and libraries have banned it in the past. Schools often received complaints from parents who did not want their children to be subjected to such foul language. In 1982, the

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  • How Is Holden Caulfield Relevant Today

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye was a pivotal novel in the 1950s because of how it portrayed teenagers during those times. The character of Holden Caulfield is a very troubled teen with a lot of angst and is failing four out of his 5 classes, he was only passing English because of the fact that he was a gifted writer. The Catcher in the Rye was written by J.D. Salinger who is now known as a hermit lte in his life, and he is also very critical of how people interpret what he meant from The Catcher in the Rye. It was originally written for adults when it was first published but since then, the novel has become very popular with teenagers because of characters like Holden Caulfield. The 1950s was also going through many difficult times, including the Korean

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