Examples Of Controversy In Catcher In The Rye

Controversy is often the source of many heated arguments. It brings about topics that people will more than likely disagree on and be able to debate with each other. The novel, The Catcher in the Rye has been a source of controversy ever since it was published. Author, J.D. Salinger incorporated multiple controversial senses into the novel, many of them having to do with the loss of innocence. Scenes such as Holden encountering a prostitute, lying to Mrs. Morrow, and attempting to erase all the f*** yous from the world, all display the controversial themes seen throughout the novel.
One of the many controversial scenes in the novel is when Holden encounters a prostitute. Holden pays Sunny, the prostitute, so he can have someone to talk to; however, when she begins to seduce him he tells her he cannot have sex with her to do a fake injury. Holden turns Sunny away because he fears he will lose his innocence. Controversy is prevalent in this scene because one of the overall themes of the novel is the loss of innocence. It is deemed inappropriate for a high school student to associate with a prostitute. This is why Holden being with a prostitute is extremely controversial. This theme is seen again in the novel when Holden speaks to Mrs. Morrow on the train.
Once again Holden attempts to protect one’s innocence. When he realizes he is
It is inappropriate for teenagers to have anything to do with a prostitute, Holden, having paid for Sunny, is not deemed acceptable. Another controversial scene is when Holden lies to the mother of one of his old classmates. It is a boy he detests; however, he speaks highly of him to his mother. He also attempts to erase every, “f*** you,” he sees to protect the innocence of children. He is attempting the impossible because all children will eventually have to grow up. Each of these scenes adds to Salinger’s overall theme of the novel, the loss of