Latest Lists

Do you think The Catcher in the Rye should be banned from high school english classes?

It's for homework. I'm supposed to interview different people and wirte down thier responses. It's mainly about Catcher In The Rye. If you've read it you know it has bad language, sexual themes, and has a mentally unstable person as the hero of the story. So do you think that's a good reason to ban a book from a library/reading list for school? Thank you for any answers. I really appreciate them all.

Public Comments

1. The Bible has sex, violence, adultery, etc., etc. "Catcher In The Rye" is considered literary art. Banned? No freakin' way!!
2. I think it should be allowed because many kids r going through the same process and it can teach u valuable life lessons
3. No, I don't think it should be banned. This book is a classic! The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom annually celebrates their "Banned Book Week." It is a celebration of the "freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them." First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
4. No. Books should never be banned. Think of the first ammendment. Also, the bible has sex, drugs but no rock 'n' rol.
5. I remember thinking it was an odd, interesting, but very sad story. No, don't ban the book. Do you realize what the average teen watches on TV in the average day? It's no more graphic than stuff they see on MTV or FUSE, or in the music they pump in their heads all day long. It's literature. I wouldn't read it to a 5-year old, but we're talking high school.
6. Of course not, it is a great book and ought to be read by everyone...you can't white wash life...you have to face it head on.....
7. no. I think high schoolers nowadays are mature enough to read this book. I think that sheltering the high schoolers from this book is foolish because it is classic and beautiful literature. Additionally, we read The Scarlet Letter...which is about a woman who has as an affair with her priest. Then Romeo and Juliet is actually really dirty if you really read into it! So...The Catcher and the Rye...isn't so bad.
8. I don't think any books should be banned. That is where losing our right to free speech would begin. Starts with books and then the next thing you know, you are not allowed to debate or disagree with the powers that be.