Letter

Dear school persons,

Recently it has come to attention that J.D Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is not appropriate reading material for the children attending Northern University. Parents and teachers have found several reasons why this book is a negative influance on students. To name a few it portrays an anti-eduacation and an anti-religion out look on life. This book also uses vulgar language. However while this book does include some mature topics it should not be banned from our school. The first problem is how the main character Holden is not a good student, and doesn't try in school, for example : "They Kicked me out. I wasn't supposed to come back after Chirstmas vacation on account of i was flunking four subjects and not applying myself and all." It's ture that Holden isn't trying in school but that doesn't mean this book promotes doing bad in school. Even Holden the flunkie finds value in the process of getting an education. for example : "I don't get hardly anything out of anything. I'm in bad shape. I'm in lousy shape." Through out the book we never hear Holden say anything bad about education, we hear him say bad things about the people in charge of institutions or the people attending Pency. Holden is anti-cliques not anti-school. Holden empathizes his views in his conversation with Sally. He is not proud of doing bad in school and the way he viewshimself - lousy shape- does not glamorize getting a bad education. The second problem was Holden's views on religion. Holden claims to be an atheist and he finds problems with nosy catholics and ministers. He even says : " Take the disiples for instance they annoy the hell out of me..." So Holden doesn't get into the whole church experiance but like education Holden doesn't find any thing wrong with the idea. in fact he does say :" I like Jesus and all..." Holden doesn't promote god is evil instead he is pretty open to the idea of a god and he even likes Jesus and the Bible it's once again people involved that he has a problem with. the last big issue is the use of the F word. But from reading the text while it is used it is not directed at anyone person and it has a negative impact on Holden. "It drove me damn near crazy." instead of laughing or not caring Holden is disgusted someone would write it on a school wall. He is concerned about what he kids would do if the saw it and even imagins beating the bum who wrote it. And most importanly in the end he wipes it off so no one else has to see. In the end While The Catcher in the rye does show a more negative look at life and contains many issues it also does not glamorize the mistakes the main character makes and instead gives perspective to problems many teens are faced with today. This is a great book and it should not be banned from Northern University.