Why Is Catcher In The Rye Banned

The Catch in the Catcher in the Rye…
Literature can cause a variety of controversy in the world over the years there have been many different situations in which books have been banned and or challenged. The Great Gatsby, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Gone with the Wind all history changing books which has frequently been banned or challenged, this collection of raw American Literature have been attacked for numerous of reasons. Sexual content, profanity, and explicit scenes. All of these are among the most common reason these classics have been either banned or challenged. Many of these book serve educational and life learning lessons purposes. The Catcher in the Rye is a very well-known piece of literature that has been able to alter and pave a new way for
American literature. Being banned, the authors history, and the outcome of the book will be huge contributors to the reason behind the elongated story behind the banning.
The Catcher in the Rye is a top piece of literature that was highly requested to be banned time and time again since the 1950’s. The book stirred up a lot of controversy and was the most requested banned book between 19966-1975 in schools. In 1981 the book was the most censored and taught at the same time due to the profanity, underage drinking encouragement, and sexual references. The book was a major threat to society as a whole the catcher in the rye had a tremendous impact on society and their views on the appropriateness level. The book was challenged mainly by concerned parents believing that students were not benefiting and learning inappropriate messages and morals in life. Profanity, sexual implementation, and the doubt of it helping students educationally. “Damn” “bitch” “slut.” A few of the inappropriate words in the novel. The profanity in the story is one primary factor in which the book was being banned and challenged. Parents felt this was encouraging for children to use such language and believe that it was acceptable. Holden is a character with a very upfront and blunt personality. He is at a point of his life in which he is not stable and has much resentment to the world. The best way a teenager expresses himself is by his language. At that age, it is easy to want to use all these words one was always allowed to use. Holden used his words to express the resentment pain and anger felt. Holden vocabulary consisted of various bad words, with a negative feel to it. Holden does not disrespect nor use inappropriate language with his peers or superiors. The book is told in the first person point of view which is mainly on Holden head and thoughts. So his raw form of speaking of life and people e can be as blunt a direct as he desires. The only ones fully understanding Holden’s thoughts is the reader. People are miss led Holden’s choice of words and thoughts. People automatically base themselves off of that side of Holden and do not understand the real depth of the character. The profanity is only to add to his character. Being the lead role Holden must hold firm attributes to keep the story going. Many concerned parents decided to challenge or ban the book due to the fear of lack of morals. Parents did not believe children were fit to understand the content and take a positive outcome from it. Many educators tend to believe the exact opposite. Many believe that it is a truly American literature that only seems to allow a teenager to feel partial belonging and can be very relatable.
The author’s life will often have a tool on the writer’s product. J. D. Salinger life had a huge impact on his novels and other pieces of work. The author J.D. Salinger did not always aspire to be an author. Studying abroad for business in Itality finding himself in love with the language and culture instead of the business side of things. Coming back home at another attempt of college, and one final attempt that was as destiny. When attending college at Columbia University J.D. Salinger came across a professor of his Mr. Burnett who profoundly believed that J.D. Salinger had great potential and was destined to do great things if pressuring in literature. Mr. Burnett was not only a professor but an editor for the Story magazine was to publish one of J.D. Salinger’s very first short stories for the public eye. Shortly after this encounter Salinger’s writing days were cut short by the draft of the World War II. Salinger did discontinued on some of his works but while away at war was able to create a very life changing character that would further his title as an author. While being out at war he was able to create such a deep and meaningful character that is said to represent or is based off of one of Salinger’s dear friend and combat partner. Coming back from the world war Salinger checked himself into a mental hospital as was able to finish his story based off on Holden Caulfield. Salinger always had a heart for art a proved to have the ability to create such master pieces as shown with the Catcher in the Rye.
It is apparent that much violence has been a result of the Catcher in the Rye. Many incident have occurred said to be triggered by content in the novel. Assassins such as Mark David Chapman, Robert Bardo, John Hinckley Jr., all had motives that came from the Catcher in the rye being inspired by Holden’s hatred to the world and they were able to eat off of his emotions and turned it themselves into actions of horror. On the night of John Lennon’s assassination Mark David Chapman was seen awaiting for the approaching limousine of artist John Lennon when in sight he drew his weapon and fired shortly after the assassination he was seen taking the catcher in the Rye out of his pocket and read it oblivious of the crime he had just committed. He had become very obsessive with the book and believes he shared similar views on the world as Holden with the thoughts of the world being filled with phonies and all. He later was said to send a personal letter to J.D. Salinger apologizing for being inspired by his novel. Robert Barado is known for the assassination of Rebecca Schaffer he was already allegedly considered to be a psycho as he was feeling the scene he threw a copy of the catcher in the rye out of his window which many people chose to believe was a probable cause or spark in his head to the assassination of Shaffer. John Hinckley Jr is said to have been motivated by the catcher in the rye as well he found a love for the novel and connection that contributed in his attempt at assassinating Reagan and harming four others. Aside from these negative outcomes the catcher in the rye was also an opening to new forms of literature J.D. Salinger bold novel inspired and allowed for other writers to be more adventurous and daring. He was able to make opportunities for a change in society and there believes it was not accepted by all but paid a huge contribution to moving forward with American literature and the limits it exceeded. This not only altered American literature but American culture itself. Bringing a wider range of education for all American literature lovers, Students, and more.
With this being a very controversial book that would both appall and offend you or it would leave you with a sense of symbolism for underdogs and sense belonging it was very easy to hear misleading opinions on the book.
Since the release of the book in the 1980’s the majority of people who were concerned on the books content were the parents of students that were being assigned the novel. On the other hand there were many supporters such as the students, teachers, and the general public reading the book. Many times teachers were fired for believing in the book and assigning them to the students. Many teacher supported the book and saw the moral lessons and what a great piece of literature it was for the students to grow and expand their knowledge on literature. Students were a huge contribution to the supporters of the novel. It was very easy for a students to relate to Holden the main character in the book and get the feel of discovering themselves and what they need like he did. Students felt the right to read what they please, they did not want to be limited as to what they should or shouldn’t read. Regardless of the controversy the catcher in the rye has always had a large support
system.
Throughout history it is evident that there has always been controversy’s on American literature the catcher in the rye happen to be a frequent challenged book that has been stabilized as a tool for knowledge and the experience to understand such a deep and personal novel. No book should ever be banned and limit a readers opportunity to retain knowledge and comprehension. Each individual book has its own potential and significant purpose. Banning books only disables the expansion and discovery of new literature. Literature has always opened doors and opportunities and improvements of ways of thinking and viewing life.

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“The Catcher in the Rye.” Nag.gov.au.1 February 2013.web.o3 Oct.2016.
Roche. Mike. ”Killers: The Catcher in the Rye.” All things crime blog.10 December.2014.Web.15 Oct. 2016