Arguments Against Banning Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye
By: JD Salinger
Why The Catcher in the Rye Should Not be Banned
By: Ryan Gash
By: Ryan Gash
There are people who would like to see The Catcher in the Rye banned from our schools because it contains disturbing issues. In my opinion they are overlooking the message that J.D. Salinger was trying to communicate. In this novel, the characters exhibit a wide scope of behaviors from honorable to ignominious. The novel presents issues such as respect for religion, or lack thereof. As though these issues were not enough by themselves, there is also the subject of intolerance of others. How, may you ask, should this novel be allowed in our schools? Well, the answer lies deep within the symbolism of the novel, not in the text itself. While this novel contains controversial issues, it teaches us significant lessons including moral behavior, religious acceptance and tolerance of others.
Holden Caulfield, the main character in the novel, has many problems, one of which is his moral behavior. Some of his behaviors are good and some are reprehensible. One example of a good behavior is his respect for women. He will always stop "necking" when they say to stop. He wants to protect all women because he feels that they are the victims of society. Holden also displays some negative behaviors, one of which is his habit of drinking and smoking although he is underage. He attempts to order alcoholic beverages at bars, but because he is often carded he has limited success. The author portrays Holden as stupid and a humiliation to our society. With this portrayal, we are able to comprehend that underage smoking and drinking are not good habits. Holden also has an inclination to curse when something happens that he doesn't like. Many of the things that bother Holden would not be viewed as aggravating by the average person. Holden's verbal outbursts make him appear to be unsophisticated. In reality, he just says what pops into his mind, not trying to
By: JD Salinger
Why The Catcher in the Rye Should Not be Banned
By: Ryan Gash
By: Ryan Gash
There are people who would like to see The Catcher in the Rye banned from our schools because it contains disturbing issues. In my opinion they are overlooking the message that J.D. Salinger was trying to communicate. In this novel, the characters exhibit a wide scope of behaviors from honorable to ignominious. The novel presents issues such as respect for religion, or lack thereof. As though these issues were not enough by themselves, there is also the subject of intolerance of others. How, may you ask, should this novel be allowed in our schools? Well, the answer lies deep within the symbolism of the novel, not in the text itself. While this novel contains controversial issues, it teaches us significant lessons including moral behavior, religious acceptance and tolerance of others.
Holden Caulfield, the main character in the novel, has many problems, one of which is his moral behavior. Some of his behaviors are good and some are reprehensible. One example of a good behavior is his respect for women. He will always stop "necking" when they say to stop. He wants to protect all women because he feels that they are the victims of society. Holden also displays some negative behaviors, one of which is his habit of drinking and smoking although he is underage. He attempts to order alcoholic beverages at bars, but because he is often carded he has limited success. The author portrays Holden as stupid and a humiliation to our society. With this portrayal, we are able to comprehend that underage smoking and drinking are not good habits. Holden also has an inclination to curse when something happens that he doesn't like. Many of the things that bother Holden would not be viewed as aggravating by the average person. Holden's verbal outbursts make him appear to be unsophisticated. In reality, he just says what pops into his mind, not trying to