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There are few fictional characters that are more familiar than Holden Caulfield, the 16-year-old protagonist of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE whose signature voice (“phony,” anyone?) and wry observations of the city around him have captured the minds of readers since 1951.
Although the novel has been praised time and time again (it was named one of the 100 best English-Language Novels of the 20th century by Modern Library in 2003), it has also gotten its fair share of push-back. It has been banned in schools time and time again, most often for vulgar language, and was the 10th most challenged book from 1990 to 1999.
Below, WHIPPOORWILL author Joseph Monninger and Teen Board member Yasemin B. talk about why they love the book, and exactly what they’d tell those who were trying to ban it.
Do you remember when you read this book for the first time? How old were you? Did you read it for school or for pleasure?
Joseph Monninger: I read this book in high school and it was assigned. Tenth or eleventh grade, I’m pretty sure. I Loved it.
Yasemin B.: I read this book for the first time at school in the 10th grade. Although it was an assigned novel, it was the type of book I would have read anyway for fun. The plot was interesting because it was extremely relatable, especially as a teenager. Holden Caulfield’s indecision in life is a moment that everyone must experience, because that’s when you discover your identity.
What do you like about this book, and how would you persuade somebody else to read it?
JM: I admired Holden’s voice. I think it’s a universal story because it pinpoints the moment in life when the world we hope for as children --- and the world that actually exists --- collide. In short, it’s a universal story of growing up. Also, it’s smart and funny and extremely human.
YB: This book is a must-read. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE is a classic because it urges readers to reflect on their identities and who they want to be. The novel is written wonderfully; the stream of consciousness makes the plot very realistic. Holden’s sister, Phoebe, is a character that you immediately love, just as much as Holden does. J.D. Salinger’s character descriptions are so detailed, you can immediately visualize them. Therefore, I recommend everyone to journey into the mind and problems of an adolescent.
A Los Angeles-based religious activist said that THE CATCHER IN THE RYE "uses the Lord's name in vain 200 times. That's enough reason to ban it right there. They say it describes reality. I say let's back up from reality. Let's go backwards. Let's go back to when we didn't have an immoral society." If you had the chance to respond to that quote, what would you say?
JM: I could pretend to have patience for this sort of thing, but I don’t, honestly. I’m an atheist, to begin with, so Holden’s use of god in the book is nothing to me. Does the Los Angeles activist use the words for the days of the week with reverence? Those days were named after Norse and Roman gods. This kind of intolerance is an example of human ignorance. The activist even admits she or he wants to go backwards. If you want a book about immorality, try the Bible. The Bible countenances slavery, the murder of adulterers and of people with tattoos, of people who wear mixed blends of fabric, of people who eat shellfish, of any woman who is not a virgin at the time of her marriage, of women speaking in church, of children who are disrespectful of their parents...Doesn’t the Bible glorify the blood sacrifice of Jesus by his father, who is, incidentally, himself? Talk about crazy stuff. Where is the morality in killing all the humans and animals in the world --- except for those on the ark? People like this activist give me a headache. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE is a profoundly moral book. It’s a book far more moral than the one that undergirds his or her religious objection.
YB: There are many reasons to ban THE CATCHER IN THE RYE. The novel was even used as an excuse by assassins, such as the man who shot John Lennon. But banning a book doesn’t do anything but cover up genuine aspects of life. If the narrator has to use such language, it adds insight into his thoughts. This novel shouldn’t be banned based on negative language because it adds to the realness of the book. It emulates the mind of a teenager who has no idea what in the world to do with his life. The more crazy he sounds, the more normal he is. An “immoral society” doesn’t exist because that is not who we are. Holden Caulfield is a 17-year- old boy who, just like other teenagers, curses and says what’s on his mind. Learning experiences like Holden’s make up the identities of so many individuals.
You need to give the protagonist of this book a book recommendation. What would you recommend, and why?
JM: You mean give Holden Caulfield a book recommendation? I’m not sure I would dare to…and I’m sure Holden is going to do just fine without my interference. But if you forced me to pick out one book, I might suggest WATERSHIP DOWN [by Richard Adams]. It’s a lovely book about rabbits and Holden --- as a catcher in the rye himself --- would understand it on a deep level. I’d like to think Holden is out there somewhere, and Phoebe, too, and they’re old now, but they have plenty to say and think and read. Holden was heroic, as all true humans are, and it’s only intolerance and ignorance that prevents us from fully entering the human community.
YB: I would recommend that Holden Caulfield read the Divergent series [by Veronica Roth]. Divergent contains wonderful themes such as finding your identity and comfort zone. The protagonist, Tris, doesn’t fit into a specific faction and faces many unknowns, just like Holden does. Hopefully, the plot would help Holden realize that others aren’t as sure of the future as they seem.
