Argumentative Essay

Growing into a young adult is a complicated part in someone's life.

For example, Holden Caulfield from the book, The Catcher in the Rye  by J.D. Salinger, often has to face what he believes is the harshness and loneliness of reality. This book is about Holden and his struggles as a young adult throughout his days in New York after being expelled from his private school.  Because the author focuses on Holden's perspective about reality and its ''disturbing details'', many parents want to ban this book. But banning books is a disputable topic and it even defies the constitution. This book is along the list of most debatable books. If fact, its debates are usually between the parents and teens. The parents usually want the book banned and the teens don't. This book should not be banned because it causes awareness, teaches lessons, and it gives teens something to relate to.

                   The book, The Catcher in the Rye should not be banned because

it depicts and draws out what teens usually do in their stage of life. For example, the main character in the book, Holden Caulfield curses alot. He’s constantly saying ‘’goddam’’, ‘’for chrissake’’, and ‘’sonuvabitches’’. But Holden curses so self-consciously and consistently that the words lose a lot of their vulgar meaning. This aspect also gives teens something to relate to since so many them curse, it wouldn't be anything new to them. And as for the people who do not curse, this just makes it more aware of this kind of situation. It would just make them aware that they share a world where there are other people who do this. It also just might make them less comfortable when they read this book, become aware of it,  and then hear someone curse. Many people especially parents want to ban this book because of this type of language content. They say that kids shouldn't be exposed to this. But many of these kids already have, and cursing in this book is almost nothing compared to what other people can find on the internet. Basically saying that, The Catcher in the Rye isn't very strong in this kind of language content. But even without the curses, it still wouldn't be the same. Holden’s curses make them who he his, and changing that, would mean that they would have to change him. Which is why books like these are so amazing. In fact in the article Darkness Too Visible, Sherman Alexie says, ‘’It almost makes me happy to hear books still have that kind of power.’’ The language content makes the book unique, so it should not be banned.

                 Another reason why The Catcher in the Rye should not be banned

is that it teaches great themes, and it allows readers to have a chance to find out the hidden symbols in the book. For example, one of the symbols included was the museum that was mentioned in the book. The museum represented Holden’s thoughts innocence. In the book, it said that he liked it when he had a innocent childhood, he wished he never grew up. Which explains why he liked the museum so much. He said that nothing changed in the museum. The exhibits and dinosaur fossils all stayed the same, and every time you visit it, the only thing that changed is you. Thats a bit like innocence, you first turn out to be innocent, but as you get older and change, so does your innocence, it slowly erodes away. But that's what parents are afraid about, their kids losing their innocence. They think that kids shouldn't be exposed to harsh or complicated themes.  But parents had to lose their innocence sooner or later, so why couldn't they expect that from kids? Its a simple part of life that bound to happen. In the article, Readers Respond: Would You Ever Challenge a Children;s Book? , guest Esraa says,  ‘’I'm not a parent, but I believe that we have the responsibility of protecting a child's innocence because far too many times this innocence is stolen away. Whenever it's in our power, we have to preserve it and preserve the child's right of childhood’’. This indicates that many parents think that banning these books also means protecting them and their innocence, but what they do not know is that this restriction might just harm them.  If kids are not aware of this, and their parents are no longer there to ‘’protect’’ them anymore, then who would?  Adding on to this, not only students learn from these themes, but its also great for in class discussions where students can strengthen their ability to recognize and describe the themes. When people, especially students, share their opinions with other people in a book club or just for class, it makes them a stronger reader. They would start to recognize and interpret symbols and thought that could lead up to a deeper understanding of the book.

                  Many people, especially parents think that The Catcher in the Rye should

be banned because of its content. They say that the book has sexual content, and they should have a say on whether or not kids should be reading books like these. But its the children, that should have the say not the parents. They should have the choice to read whatever they want. The article, ‘’Board Bans ‘The Catcher in the Rye, from High School English Class’’, says that ‘’We restricted it, that's true. But the book is in the library. More kids are going to read it now as a result all this.’’ So if teens want to read it, even after knowing they restricted it, why should anyone stop them? Another significant reason is that the sexual content in the book isn't even that graphic. In the book, it only mentions it, it doesn't describe it in depth with any details.

                    The Catcher in the Rye should not be banned. It teaches great lessons and

morals, it causes more awareness, and its great for in class discussions. If this book, can have so many positive results, people shouldn't have the right to ban it. Banning such a book like The Catcher in The Rye is just completely unlawful. This book shouldn't be banned, but be in the category of one of the best books ever written. It just has so many great themes for people to focus on, and it relates to so many young adults, and it opens people’s eyes to see what life is really like . Each word, thought, or object in the book, means so much more to each scene. Its a book filled with great depth and meaning that just may affect our lives.                   

Works Cited:

•  Kennedy, Elizabeth. "Readers Respond: Would You Ever Challenge a Children's Book? Why or Why Not?" About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fchildrensbooks.about.com%2Fu%2Fua%2Fcensorship%2Fchallenge.htm>.
• "Banned Book: The Catcher in the Rye." Banned Book: The Catcher in the Rye. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://www.csun.edu/~kjs26872/Banned_Book___The_Catcher_in_the_Rye.html>.
• Gurdon, Meghan Cox. "Darkness Too Visible." WSJ. N.p., 4 June 2011. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038>.
• Rotella, Sebastian. "Board Bans 'Catcher in the Rye' From High School English Class." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 12 Sept. 1989. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://articles.latimes.com/1989-09-12/local/me-2089_1_school-board>.