Explain Why The Book Should Be Banned In Catcher In The Rye

Banned Novels
Novels that are being taught in schools all over the United States are being challenged by numerous people for inappropriate content. These people believe novels that do not fit their idea of what is considered appropriate, should be banned. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is a prime example of this occurring. The novel is set around sixteen year old, Holden Caulfield during the 1950s. Holden struggles with mental illness and continuously flunks out of the schools he attends; however, he eventually decides to run away from his problems. While writing this novel, Salinger relates it to himself by using his own life experiences. Like Holden, Salinger was born in New York to upper-class parents, both have a fascination with

younger women, and have similar personality characteristics. While The Catcher in the Rye, does display some of the characteristics of a banned novel, it should not be banned because the lessons the novel teaches outways the vulgarities, it brings forth the idea of mental illness, and the ideas are still relevant in today’s society.
Many people believe that The Catcher in the Rye fits the criteria of a banned novel. These people assume that Holden is a negative influence because he uses vulgar language, references premarital sex, prostitution, and excessive drinking. But, “it is not just the actual language that got the book banned; it is what Holden was actually saying. Holden uses God’s name in vain and does blasphemous acts all throughout the book. He also says statements against minorities, women, and the disabled” (Santipr). While Holden does execute these negative behaviors at certain times throughout the novel, he also demonstrates perseverance and real situations. One case of Holden doing this is shown as he states, “When you’re all done reading [a book], you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours” (Salinger 22). By doing this, Holden is promoting reading, which is beneficial for children. Holden also shows how much he truly cares for other people. When he goes into the elementary school to see Phoebe, he sees “fuck you” (Salinger 221) written all over the walls and immediately tries to wipe it away. This shows that even though he uses crude language, he knows it is inappropriate for children and attempts to shield them from it. Additionally, if the vulgar aspects of the novel are influential, the positive elements should be too. Parents do not comprehend that this will not be the first or last time their child will hear this type of profane language. Above all, reading The Catcher in the Rye does not affect children in the way critics assume it does.
There are countless features that a novel must meet to be considered banned.

Some of the main reasons that cause a book to become banned include racial issues, encouragement of damaging lifestyles, sexual content, and violence. After reading the novel, the person who thinks that it should be banned has to file a complaint with a library, indicating the specific parts they consider to be offensive. Once the accusation is filed, a committee or board reviews the novel and establishes if the claim is substantial or unfounded. Finally, depending on the verdict, the book is either banned or left on the shelves. Infrequently, if one party disagrees with the decision, the fight can be brought to an official courtroom where a judge decides the book’s final fate. Even so, many novels “have been banned or censored in one or more of these categories due to a misjudgment or misunderstanding about the book's contents and message” (Banned Books). An abundance of novels have been mislabeled in this way. Consequently, readers usually determine their own assessment of the novel. Sexual content, violence, and blasphemous dialogue are some of the reasons that The Catcher in the Rye is being challenged. Yet, it remains an important novel to people everywhere. One of the ways the novel stands out, is when Holden finally talks with Phoebe at the zoo’s carousel. While watching Phoebe, he realizes that he has been running away from his problems, coming to the conclusion that he needs help. Afterwards, Holden states, “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy” (Salinger 233). This proves that reading one ‘inappropriate’ novel should not cause a person to drastically change the way they act; in fact, reading a novel such as The Catcher in the Rye could even be

beneficial.
Mental illness is a dominant topic throughout the novel. Holden expresses numerous symptoms of mental disorders, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder. Even “the structure of The Catcher in the Rye is built around trauma and repression” (Kirshner). All of these symptoms are shown when he states, “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window” (Salinger 117). Similarly, he displays the effects of PTSD when he reminisces on old memories with his late brother Allie. Holden seems to dismiss Allie’s final battle with leukemia when he avoids the subject and begins to talk about his “people shooting hat” (Salinger 26). Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger draws attention to the idea of mental illness and proves the importance of it, making it a prominent subject of discussion. If it was not for Salinger adding this aspect of Holden into the novel, the awareness of mental illness among readers might not be as distinguished as it is today. Additionally, the novel exemplifies that mental illness is not something to look over and displays that there is always hope for overcoming it. Holden’s story reminds those affected by mental illness, should not be afraid to ask for help. Those suffering would not receive this reminder, if the novel was banned.
Even though the themes of The Catcher in the Rye are controversial, the novel is still relevant to today’s society. Many teens assume they are alone in how they feel, but Holden’s example shows them that it is not uncommon to feel depressed and alone at times. Novels provide an escape from the real world when needed. Furthermore, as the novel has been continuously challenged it has gained even more popularity; as a result, its controversial nature leads to more discussion of its acceptance. The compelling fact is that “in many occurrences, after the book was banned, it was later reinstated... Not even its vulgar language or violence can stop teachers from teaching this American classic, and teenagers living the life of Holden Caulfield” (Santipr). The Catcher in the Rye has developed into a prominent American novel, being taught within English classes in schools all over the United States since the 1960s. It remains loved by a multitude of adults and teenagers alike for its rebellious protagonist alone. Frequently, schools and libraries have reinstated the novel, recognizing its literary importance, and further proving how it has remained relevant.
The Catcher in the Rye does have some negative aspects; nevertheless, they are not vulgar enough to make schools discontinue teaching the novel and the ideas it contains. Even with the novel being challenged multiple times, individuals are still interested in the ideas and content, causing it to remain in countless college and high school level curriculums. The novel has remained relevant to today’s society, progressed the movement towards mental illness awareness, and the lessons the novel teaches outway the vulgarities.