The Importance Of Foul Language In The Catcher In The Rye

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The novel, The Catcher in the Rye, should be studied in schools because it is a realistic take on a teenager’s mind during a traumatic event. Although this novel does contain vulgar language and sexual content that has been frequently challenged in many states by multiple school districts. However, it is a practical story that shows what it is like to overcome obstacles that set you back and should be decided by the views of the school and parents.
J.D. Salinger wrote this novel in a different period of time that expresses how he views the world around him. He uses aspects of his life to mold this story into the frame and it allows us to discover what a complex man he was. This novel allows us to understand how a teenager handles a difficult …show more content…

"Kids pick up swear words from a variety of sources, ranging from an older sibling to the bus driver to a rented video movie" (Parents 1). Adults may not be too comfortable with this new vocabulary that children are engaging in and they will want it to stop. Foul language is a sensitive topic for many adults, however, vulgar language can engage many readers by hearing the author’s expressions and how they truly feel. "It allows individuals and organizations to criticize their government's policies, report on matters of public interest, and generally express opinions on any given subject” (Freedom 1). Also, students can better understand this material when it’s coming from a teacher who understands it better than they do. "... exposure to controversial material is not as critical as the war in which it is presented by the teacher" (Young 3). Controversial material such as inappropriate language makes the reader relate to the subject at …show more content…

Death can be a mature topic for kids and might not comprehend but high school is a time period were most teenagers start acting like adults. “Death is an aspect of life that is not only inevitable but also painful, especially for children. Children do not have the knowledge or experience that adults have” (Cox 1). Once teenagers start acting like adults, that is when they are not relying on their parents and can’t turn to them for guidance. "Holden sorely misses being able to turn his parents in his time of trouble" (Rosen 3). The main character experiences something that many individuals will have to handle and it should be shown to them earlier so they know how to deal with it. Most teenagers can relate to the main character of this novel because they all had to deal with death at some point in their life. "...at Allie's funeral...revealing the source of his wound and the traumatic occasion when he first really felt the pain of it" (Rosen 3). Allowing this novel to be taught in classrooms would make kids more involved and aware of the community around them as it did Holden."...Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War gave purpose to Holden's passive nihilism..." (Young 3). When the reader sees Holden experience conflict in his life, it makes the readers more interested in why he feels that way and who in society has caused these things to

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