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The American Scholar, By J. D. Salinger

652 Words3 Pages

Literature is made to express ideas, provoke thought processes and allow readers access to otherwise unknown experiences along with many other things. Literature has also been used to pinpoint different times in history to be able to understand how our past is affecting our current society. Occasionally, literature is used to concoct propaganda that which can be harmful to our community. In the speech “The American Scholar”, Ralph Waldo Emerson states the greatness and weakness of literary works. “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst,”. This quote brings the reader to scrutinize the uses of books; it allows us to name the pros and cons. This quote of power of books is true and relevant today and this is displayed …show more content…

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger was a very controversial book in it’s time. It brought forward the idea of teenagers having sex, drinking and it brought into light the concept that teenagers have a need for individuality. While many adults found it insulting and disgusting, many teenagers thought it to be incredibly insightful. This shows how books affect things when there are either well used, or abused. If one were to use this book well, they can take life advice from it and grow from it. For example, this specific quote relating to identity, “What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by. I mean I've left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I'm leaving it. If you don't, you feel even worse,”. The Catcher in the Rye can be considered healthful in this context, because it can open someone's mind to bad influences. On the other hand, this book displays strong language as well as depressing themes; which can be triggering. If quotes from this literary work are used out of context, they can be considered harmful or abusive. This is true for many types of

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