It's the 21st Century, Let it Drop

“In 1981 Mark Chapman approached John Lennon on the steps of the Dakota Hotel, New York and shot him five times killing him. Chapman then removed his copy of Catcher in the Rye from his pocket, signed by John Lennon earlier that morning, and tried to read it.” (Chasan 2) But I wonder whether the Catcher in the Rye was the motive, or even if it had anything to do with the case at all. Many schools nationwide have banned this, what some call, profane book from the schools. And according to an article a school teacher was even fired for assigning the book to kids. So should the Catcher in the Rye be taught in schools is an intricate question. Personally, strongly believe that this book should be taught to all kids as long as the teachers use discretion and assign it in the appropriate grade.

            This may be a book worthy of being banned in the 1960’s -1980’s, but times have changed. Back then, bikinis and short shorts would be extremely inappropriate. Now we look around and see half naked models on billboards, couples in bed on TV, and profanity in almost every book and movie. This book, even though 70 years old, is still very relevant to life now a day. Mainly because what he wrote at the time was so controversial. Now a day it is normal, and kids in the 21^st century are able to relate to it. It is also relatable because he writes about topics that most kids will always be able to relate to no matter how far in the future. J.D. Salinger wrote about many coming of age issues like becoming interested in girls, peer pressure to do the wrong things, and trying to fulfill everyone’s demands, which Holden has a lot of trouble with.

            Another reason I think that this book should be available to everyone, is because most kids will have or already have found out about the topics in this book. So as long as the teacher addresses it correctly there should be no problem with assigning the book. This book could actually be a positive learning experience if the teachers point out what Holden does wrong and what would have been the right thing to do in the end. Before schools ban the book they should asses what he students think of it and what they have learned from it. If parents get upset and start demanding that they are intent on not having their kids read the book, then the teachers can send home a permission slip informing parents about the book, and give them a second option if they decide that they don’t want their kids reading the Catcher in the Rye. This is a free world; you can’t just go around telling kids that they aren’t allowed to read certain books because you don’t agree with them. Now if you feel that a kid isn’t mature enough yet, then that’s one thing, but when you say that kids in High School can’t read it, then that is outrageous.

            The opposition may try to point out how it isn’t age appropriate for kids and it is against different people’s beliefs, but really I believe it isn’t. First of all there isn’t one real inappropriate scene which would be truly disturbing for kids of the right age. “In the first place, I'm sort of an atheist. I like Jesus and all, but I don't care too much for most of the other stuff in the Bible.” Holden says in chapter 14. In chapter 9 he says "In my mind, I'm probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw." But really Holden isn’t that bad of a kid in my mind. Even though some might find parts of the book sexist, racist, anti-white, anti-gay, and practically anti-everyone, it’s just the way he sees life. People need to respect that that’s how J.D. Salinger wanted to portray Holden in the book. So even if many may disagree with Holden’s views, they need to let it go and know that at the end of the day they can believe whatever they want.

            I know that I stand strong with my opinion on this topic and I doubt that anyone can change my view. This book shouldn’t be banned from anywhere but an elementary school where kids may not be mature enough yet to read it, but chances are teachers weren’t going to be teaching it there anyway. If a parent for whatever reason didn’t want their child to read this book, I already shared my idea earlier of a second option for children to opt to. From first-hand experience, I can say that kids learn of this stuff way before their parents believe they do or would like. Reading this with a good teacher would be a very positive experience. So since this is a free world we are living in, and times have changed since when this book was published 70 years ago, this book shouldn’t be banned anywhere.