Group+3+Report


 * Why did this book have such an effect on Americans of the 20th century?**
 * -**The book had both positive and negative effects on Americans in the 20th century. When the book was read in schools, certain people thought that the book should not have been read because Holden (the main character) in the book influenced bad behavior that they thought would be passed onto the readers of the book (mostly children and young adults). Some teachers were fired because they required their students to read //The Catcher in the Rye// as a class book. The book was thought to be a good book in the aspect that it portrayed the life of young adults in the time the book was set and even in the present. It was thought to be a negative book to read in schools. However, it was a bestseller with many people on waiting lists just to get their hands on the book, and many of the days works in pop culture had references back to //The Catcher in the Rye.//

-Young readers who read //The Catcher in the Rye// are still affected today because many of those young adults can still relate to the main character, even though it was set and was written in a different time period. This is one of very few books in schools that young readers can actually relate to, and this makes things interesting for them as a reader. As a result of the book being interesting, this makes young readers want to read more and by reading more students retain more knowledge and end up reading more books then if they are uninterested in the book.
 * Why does it continue to have an effect on young readers now in the 21st century?**

The controversy started when a teacher assigned the book to his 11th grade English class to read. Many parents were outraged that their teens were reading a book with so many controversial subjects. This book includes several references to violence, premarital sex, bad language, and the use of drugs an alcohol. Even though it has a couple of good life lessons, parents did not want their kids to read the book. Some extreme theories suggest that this book is some type of mind control. However, teens seemed to really connect to Hold Holden Caulfield. Teens had a similar train oh thought as the main character. As an example, many kids also thought the world was full of fakes. They thought that the book had many things that teenagers do almost on a daily basis.
 * How did teenagers react to the book** **when** **it was first published?**

Several novels were influenced by The Cather and the Rye. Some examples of novels are Less than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis, A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews and much more. The novel also appeared on a popular comedy show called South Park. Finally, numerous essays have been written about the controversy and the good lessons this book contains.
 * What current writers were affected by Holden Caulfield and the novel? **

The book was banned from U.S. libraries due to graphic nature of the story. Holden used many swear words throughout the book including the F word. It was one of the most censored books and was only issued off the banned list in 2006. Some people say that Holden was a bad role model because of the content of his book.There are also lots of sexual references, and everyone smokes and drinks including the underage character. Holden refers to homosexuals as "flits." People have used these examples in an effort to have the book banned. But the people who would do so miss the point of the book it's an American classic that everyone should read. Other people believe he was an inspirational writer that had a very messed up life that we can learn from.
 * Why was the book banned from libraries?**

The assassinate of John Lennon is connected to The Catcher and the Rye because the day of his assignation he was asked to sign his killer’s copy of it. The most well-known event associated with The Catcher in the Rye is arguably Mark David Chapman's shooting of John Lennon. Chapman identified with the novel's narrator to the extent that he wanted to change his name to Holden Caulfield. On the night he shot Lennon, Chapman was found with a copy of the book in which he had written "This is my statement" and signed Holden's name. John Hinckley was also a big fan of the book, which make people believe this book connects with lunatic people. John Hinckley is known for attempting to assassinate the U.S. president, Ronald Regan. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
 * What famous people and notorious events are connected to the novel?**