Should we Read Catcher in the Rye?

     Going through the stage of adolescence is a tough period of time. Having to leave their cocoon behind and start a new life as an adult, terrifies some teenagers. They fear of growing up, wishing that they could stay as pure as children forever. For instance, the book Catcher in the Rye shows us such person.

The novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger was a book that received compliments, but a lot of criticism coming from censors. It was banned in various schools back in the United States in 1951. It has been restricted in many countries and still remains on the list of banned books in few of the areas in U.S.A. Since its publication, it aroused many protests from parents. “It was banned due to the prostitution, delinquency, dirty language, and the reference to sex; also, the book was accused of being anti-white.” (Chasan 2)

    

The obscene language and the things involved in the novel are things that many parents do not want their child to read. However, I do not think that this book should be banned anywhere. Although it contains many points in which people would not wish children to copy, it reflects upon the thoughts of many teens after they reach adolescence. The views of the main protagonist in Catcher in the Rye are important for teenagers to read, because they could understand that not only they have the problems they face now, but as regular teens do.

Although this book was written in the 1950s, Catcher in the Rye is still a relevant book of our time. The book contains many obstacles that teenagers still have to go through, coming of age issues that won’t change because of time. Problems such as: drinking, suicidal thoughts, and conflicts with their parents…etc. The problems mentioned in the novel are things that every teen has to experience on some point in their life.

Catcher in the Rye should not be banned from any city, country, or district. No book should be banned; as people should have the right to read anything they desire. This novel is certainly a book that is to be enjoyed, not to be scorned at; all teens should have the right to read it. The reasons why parents in the 1950s objected to the book happens a lot nowadays. The darkness behind drunkenness, obscenity, and sexuality are everywhere in the social world today. This is exactly the reason why the book should be taught; adolescents should not be kept behind these problems, but to face them directly, and be taught what is right and what is wrong.