Gracie Hart Macapagal
T. Terrazzano
Honors English
September 2022
WHY CATCHER IN THE RYE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SOPHOMORE
CURRICULUM
The Catcher in the Rye is a novel written by J.D Salinger and narrated by Holden
Caulfield, who is also the main character. Holden Caulfield, is not the typical teenage boy. He
thinks the adult world is “phony.” In the novel Holden goes through many experiences that
are inappropriate for him and to the reader. As a result, people have argued about the
inclusion of Catcher in the Rye in the sophomore curriculum. This is due to the fact that the
novel includes inappropriate language and adult oriented themes. Regardless of the fact that
is indeed inappropriate to students under eighteen years of age, what matters is that the novel
provides life and moral lessons that can be applied in everyday life. The Catcher in the Rye
should be included in the sophomore curriculum for students to learn.
Swearing in speech has always been a thing and even used in writing. Authors today
have been more detailed in their writing, they use offensive language to tell the reader what is
going on in the minds of the characters instead of allowing the readers to imagine or
understand that emotion of the characters. According to the Guidelines for Selection for
Materials in English Language Arts Program, “Each school should have develop its own
criteria for selecting materials for inclusion in (the) English Language Arts Program.”
(NCTE) As a result many schools choose certain books that are school appropriate because
children should not be exposed to violence, drugs, and offensive language.
T. Terrazzano
Honors English
September 2022
WHY CATCHER IN THE RYE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SOPHOMORE
CURRICULUM
The Catcher in the Rye is a novel written by J.D Salinger and narrated by Holden
Caulfield, who is also the main character. Holden Caulfield, is not the typical teenage boy. He
thinks the adult world is “phony.” In the novel Holden goes through many experiences that
are inappropriate for him and to the reader. As a result, people have argued about the
inclusion of Catcher in the Rye in the sophomore curriculum. This is due to the fact that the
novel includes inappropriate language and adult oriented themes. Regardless of the fact that
is indeed inappropriate to students under eighteen years of age, what matters is that the novel
provides life and moral lessons that can be applied in everyday life. The Catcher in the Rye
should be included in the sophomore curriculum for students to learn.
Swearing in speech has always been a thing and even used in writing. Authors today
have been more detailed in their writing, they use offensive language to tell the reader what is
going on in the minds of the characters instead of allowing the readers to imagine or
understand that emotion of the characters. According to the Guidelines for Selection for
Materials in English Language Arts Program, “Each school should have develop its own
criteria for selecting materials for inclusion in (the) English Language Arts Program.”
(NCTE) As a result many schools choose certain books that are school appropriate because
children should not be exposed to violence, drugs, and offensive language.
