Should The Catcher In The Rye Be Banned

In just the 2021-2022 school year, over 1,600 books were censored and banned by over 5,000 schools in the United States (NBC News). The Catcher in the Rye is seen by many as a classic because of its timeless message and deals with many issues that young adults can relate to. However, for many years, The Catcher in the Rye has been under attack by many individuals who feel that the book contains inappropriate issues that should not be dealt with in a high school novel. These issues include, evident sexism, substance abuse, and excessive mature language. Despite these issues, The Catcher in the Rye should stay in high school curriculums because it shows the harsh realities of sexism, substance abuse and overcoming depression, and excessive profanity.

Holden’s comments and thoughts have led to many pushing for The Catcher in the Rye, to be banned from high schools. However, the novel should not be censored because it shows the true realities of sexism and can be used to help make change for the future. By censoring the book, people would be hiding the truth on sexism. The novel should stay in high school curriculums because the issues with sexism are timeless and can be connected to the present. The novel can help shed light upon the harsh treatment that women have had to endure for all of history and continue to struggle with today. Another example of sexist behavior in the novel is shown through Stradlater’s “seductive tactics.” After finding out Stradlater went on a date

Whilst telling Sally his dreams of moving away, Holden’s foul language takes over his vocabulary. “I was getting excited as hell, the more I thought about it, and I sort of reached out and took old Sally’s goddamn hand. What a goddamn fool I was” (Salinger 146). There is no debating the fact that Holden has a very repetitive vocabulary which often consists of mature language. In fact, people who have attacked the novel, saying that it should be removed from high school curriculums, have counted that he says the word, “goddamn” over 90 times. However, it is important to remember that Holden is still young and is struggling with growing up. While it may be out of date, his limited vocabulary may be something that teens in high school can relate to. On top of this, Salinger shows the negative side of Holden’s foul language, showing that he is not encouraging his proganist’s behavior. For example, whilst telling Sally his ideas about moving west, she says she isn’t so sure about his idea. Holden’s foul language took over and he called her, “a pain in his ass” which led to his date being ruined and him becoming more depressed that night. Additionally, Holden also shows that he has some sort of standards when it comes to foul language, whilst at his old school. Whilst dropping off a note to Phoebe, Holden sees the words, “Fuck you” on the wall. “You may think there