Facts about The Catcher in the Rye Controversy

1. 06

   Published in 1951, Salinger's novel was removed from classrooms and libraries in multiple U.S. states throughout the 1960s and 1970s for its frank language and perceived immorality.

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2. 05

   The American Library Association consistently lists The Catcher in the Rye among the most frequently challenged books in the United States throughout the latter half of the twentieth century.

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3. 04

   John Hinckley Jr. also had an obsession with the novel, and it was found among his possessions after his 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.

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4. 03

   Despite its controversies, The Catcher in the Rye became a bestseller and remains widely taught in high school and college literature courses across the United States.

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5. 02

   Mark David Chapman was carrying a copy of the novel when he shot John Lennon in 1980, associating the book with real-world violence.

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6. 01

   Salinger's novel has been one of the most frequently banned books in American schools due to its profanity, sexual content, and themes of rebellion.

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