why does the book "the catcher and the rye" cause so much controversy?

Answer 1

The Catcher in the Rye has been shrouded in controversy since its publication. Reasons for banning have been the use of offensive language, premarital sex, alcohol abuse, and prostitution.

Mark David Chapman, murderer of musician John Lennon, was carrying the book when he was arrested immediately after the murder and referred to it in his statement to police shortly thereafter. John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was also reported to have been obsessed with the book.

Critics see Holden as a disturbing influence on youths they consider to be "social outcasts." Holden is portrayed as a juvenile who rejects and is rejected by many peers and individuals. People like Chapman and Hinckley come to relate themselves to Holden, the person that nobody understands and that can't understand anybody else.

Thirty years after its first publication in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye was both the most banned book in America as well as the second most taught book in public schools.

Answer 2

The "Catcher in the Rye" is controversial because of bad language, teenage angst, and sex. Also, Mark David Chapman supposedly had a copy of the book on his person when he was arrested for killing John Lennon and he referred to the book when he gave a statement to the police-- And the man who attempted to kill President Reagan was said to have been obsessed with the book. Apparently certain people believe these men (and many troubled youths) related to the main character, Holden Caulfield, in a way that was disturbing.

I personally appreciate the fact that Salinger didn't hold back anything when he wrote "The Catcher in the Rye," because that is what a good writer should be like. I don't think people should use a book, a character from the book, etc. to help justify something they have done wrong. Books like that are a form of entertainment and nothing more. Actually, it has been my favorite book since our class had to read it in 11th grade, 15 years ago. I have read it many times since then and it has never affected me negatively.

Answer 3

***why does the book "the catcher and the rye" cause so much controversy? ***

( Holden is talking to his sister)

He tells her his fantasy of being “the catcher in the rye,” a person who catches little children as they are about to fall off of a cliff. Phoebe tells him that he has misremembered the poem that he took the image from: Robert Burns’s poem says “if a body meet a body, coming through the rye,” not “catch a body.”

The question made me go and see what the book was all about,thanks.To me it's really about things that have been misremembered and a whole lot of other stuff for sure.

Answer 4

The book includes premarital sex, offensive language, alcohol abuse and prostitution. I guess that accounts for the controversy. Some people are just so closed minded. I mean, we could ban the Bible for all of those same reasons.

I had a friend in high school who was not allowed to read the book because it was rumored that J.D. Salinger was gay. *rolls eyes* Now that is just stupid!

I just wanted to add that it really has nothing to do with the time period in which it was published. It was still highly challenged as recently at the 1990s.

Answer 5

Because it deals with a really troubled teenager who is trying to learn about sex in his own strange ways ... He gets kicked out of school and his former teacher sort of hits on him. He also gets really drunk. Do people need any other reasons to label something "controversial"? The problem with these types of people is that they try to ignore the problems of real life. That's why books get banned. Because people are stupid and can't face the fact that life is screwed up sometimes.

Answer 6

at the time it was published, a lot of the content was then considered unruly, outrageous....basically, they had nothing better to do that complain about a book. nowadays we read it in high school. some schools actually go through every copy and take out the profanity....kills the effect of the book and just leaves a few words on each page...kind of redundant. i read it in high school english II. it wasnt a bad book...if you want something else that is somewhat different and/or somewhat contraversial, read Brave New World by A. Huxley- i cant remember his first name. its a pretty good one. i read that in english III, lol. have a nice day :).

Answer 7

The reason is this kid has bisexual tendencies and the mass population just do not like to accept that part of life. It is also the fact that a teenage boy is allowed to do these outlandish events and not have any consequences. It also shows that young man was seriously mentally ill

Answer 8

I think because it was one of the first books that dove into the human psyche. Holden is a really messed up kid and is very "blunt" about his thoughts. The only book I enjoyed more than this was Native Son.

Answer 9

wow, i just started reading this book, our senior english class is doing it. i'm on chapter 6 so i don't know a whole lot about it but so far it seems like its a lot about teenage rebellion. that would be my guess. its been a good book so far though and i really don't like to read

Answer 10

Eh, I am not sure. I liked it well enough and didn't take any offense. I would bet you money that they pulled it from school libraries because he drinks, smokes, and actually hires a prostitute at one point. Good book.