The Morality of Reading The Catcher in the Rye in School
The story of The Catcher In The Rye, can and is misinterpreted by many
people. It is very easy to find The Catcher In The Rye immoral if you
are reading the book only to prove that idea. This is so because you
can ignore the good things and ideas the author is trying to convey by
using certain incidents that might be labeled wrong. On the other
hand, if you are reading the book and taking that extra step to
analyze the things that Holden Caulfield does and the things that
happens to him you end up having a greater appreciation for the novel
and what it says.
Throughout the book Holden has shown that he is a boy who in reality
has a conscience and uses it. One example of this is when Holden goes
to see Mr. Spencer, his former history teacher. Holden goes to visit
Mr. Spencer, who is ill with the grippe. He goes to tell him not to
feel bad for failing him in history. Holden did not have to do this;
this was an act of courtesy because he knew that Mr. Spencer felt
sorry that he had flunked Holden in his class. Holden also sits
through Mr. Spencer’s lecture on how life is a game, a game that one
must play according to the rules. Holden who absolutely hates talks
like this, did not have to sit through it, he could have gotten up and
left, but he didn’t he showed respect for one of his superiors and
what he had to say. I believe this is an act that every child and
adult should know and do.
“I am the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life.” (16)
Holden Caulfield is a good liar. Holden even admits to it. Many
people might say that this is setting a bad example but throughout
story his lies make people feel better. For example, when Holden was
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...ain is “fuck you”. Even though
Holden always uses these words, he doesn’t want his younger sister
being exposed to that kind of profanity. He does care about innocence
and morality.
“…You can‘t ever find a place that‘s nice and peaceful, because there
isn’t any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when
you‘re not looking, somebody‘ll sneak up and write ‘Fuck You’ right
under your nose…”
The virtuousness, morality, or principles are as apparent as the
depravities throughout the novel of The Catcher In The Rye. Although
when you actually read and examine the book you realize that there are
no immoralities. The only way you can come to that conclusion, is
with ignorance and a lack of knowledge. To fully recognize and
understand the hidden ideas or picture the author is trying to portray
in the readers’ minds you need knowledge and insight.
After many years of ideas coming and going, one that seems to stay the same is the thoughts of tennagers. In the book The Catcher In The Rye written by J.D Salinger many can still relate to Holden’s story even after a 76 year difference. While exploring the city around him Holden takes the time to try to find himself on a deeper level and try to grasp how growing up really makes him feel. Given the fact that everyone is unique in among themselves the need for self satisfaction is always current meaning many run from the true responsibilities that come with age.
the loud soldier. When he is in the tent talking to Henry and conklin he
The discontent about The Cather in the Rye is due to vulgar language and sexual themes within the novel. The vulgar and inappropriate content does not prevent the reader from comprehending themes, symbols, and lessons and underlying meaning of the novel. In the novel, the main character, Holden, goes through many experiences that are deemed as inappropriate and are evident to the reader. But once the reader searches and analyzes the underlying meaning of the novel and situations and how Holden reacts to these situations, there is a great deal of redeeming and positive value from the novel. This then further supports the themes and symbols presented in the novel. While people may see the main character as someone who is dimwitted and possesses no ethical standards, he faces such scenarios which put that to the test and prove it wrong. And from that, students can learn the theme of individuality and coming of age. In ...
To begin, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is unique. The novel is written from the perspective of a teenager who lives in New York in the 1950's. From the context in the beginning and the end of the book, "I'll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy" (page 1), "I could probably tell you what I did after I went home, and how I got sick and all, and what school I'm supposed to go to next fall, after I get out of here, but I don't feel like it" (page 213), we can infer that Holden Caulfield, the aforementioned teenager, is in a mental hospital. However, he tells the story through flashback of a three-day period sometime before Christmas the year before. This is unusual because most novels cover much more time than three days. This is one reason why this novel is so unique. Although the novel is spread over only three days, we learn so much about the protagonist, and many other characters, because all Holden's thoughts and feelings, especially about other characters, during these three days is portrayed, nothing is left out.
'The novel has long ignited disapproval, and it was the most frequently banned book in schools between 1966 and 1975. Even before that time,
Need for Control in Catcher in the Rye? With his work, The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger created a literary piece that was completely unique. The entire novel was written from the first person viewpoint of the 17-year-old boy Holden Caulfield. The majority of the story is compiled of Holden's rudimentary monologue of “complexly simple” thoughts, the rest utilizing his relay of previous dialogue. That, along with the use of unique punctuation, digressive explanations, and complex characterization, transforms the simple plot into a complex literary classic.
What was it like to grow up? What would you change? Would you want to be a kid again? In the novel “The Catcher in The Rye” by J.D. Salinger, the character Holden Caulfield is trying to stop the way others grow up because to him the world of adulthood is corrupt. Ultimately the author sends a message that childhood innocence cannot be protected forever because everyone grows up.
The Theme of Hypocrisy in The Catcher In The Rye & nbsp; & nbsp; In the novel The Catcher In The Rye, the protagonist Holden Caulfield views his surroundings with hypocrisy and contempt in an attempt to avoid the corruption of adulthood. Holden places himself above the crowd because he believes everyone acts phony. In the process, Caulfield reveals his true problem: his refusal to change. & nbsp; Holden fears adulthood because it brings responsibilities and trouble. He believes all adults possess an aurora of "phoniness."
As with every form of media, print media, novels to be specific is not far from controversy. Controversy has surrounded several novels due to several reasons mostly due to sexual explicitly, racial slur, religious offence, social values etc. Such novels have been banned in several countries, several times since their publication. Some authors have faced death threats, have taken asylum in other countries, took years to publish their novels. Even though these novels are banned, they are still widely sold and have an enormous influence throughout the world.
slapped him, he ran out the door and meet up with Jonny, they left for the park. At the
The novel The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield for a weekend. The story begins in Agerstown, PA at Pencey Prep school with Holden standing on top of the Thomson Hill on his way to Mr. Spencer’s, his history teacher, to say good bye because Holden was expelled for not following rules. On his way to Spencer’s, Holden “felt like [he] was sort of disappearing”. (Salinger 5) The sense of symbolism with the word “disappearing” is that he feels alone and almost invisible. When Mr. Spencer starts to read Holden’s failed paper, Holden starts to daydream about “wondering where ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over” (13) in Central Park in New York. The symbolic significance in this comment is that Holden is frozen in adolescence.
From the moment a young child observes the privileges adults have in the world, they cannot wait for the day when they grow up. On the contrary, Holden Caulfield has no desire to grow up because his introverted personality protects him from the fear of the loss of innocence. Throughout the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, the J.D. Salinger utilizes symbolism, discouraging imagery, and colloquial diction to make the reader be aware of Holden’s fear of the loss of youth. Holden, although he is only seventeen when he is narrating his story, he speaks as though he is an old man remembering his youth.
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.
The Catcher in the Rye should not have been banned. I found the arguments for banning The Catcher in the Rye to be unconvincing. It was challenged frequently for its extensive use of profanity. Obscene language is highly prevalent in our society and can be found including but not limited to TV, social media, and movies. All teens will inevitably be introduced to profanity. In addition, I think that the swearing complements Holden’s character traits of being cynical, judgemental, rebellious, and angsty. Without the profanity the book would have an entirely different tone. Another reason it has been challenged is for its negative themes and topics of drunkenness, prostitution, delinquency, and references to sex. These themes are a part of life
Salinger additionally demonstrates that the loss of innocence is inevitable due to time and age. Salinger anew uses Holden to portray this message through Holden’s thoughts of the museum, that “The best thing, though, in the museum was that everything always remained the same.” (Salinger 121). Holden clearly has a difficult time surrendering his childhood innocence, however, he does recognize that “The only thing that would be different would be you”, in that innocence will be lost (Salinger 121). Salinger communicates that people are always changing, and losing their innocence is one way in which they must change. This can be further supported with the fact that towards the end of the novel, Salinger makes Holden let go of his innocence when