The book The Catcher in the Rye is a very controversial book that has been banned in many school districts and which some parents are happy that it is. While there are arguments about why the book should be banned because of the characters, which range from the honorable to the insolent. The book represents intolerance towards others and towards the religion of others. This novel may contain many controversial issues, but the book teaches morals and acceptance of others. The symbolism of the book means much more than the words represent. The story begins with Holden Caulfield, the main character, is a troubled and lonely young adult which is reflected in his behavior and life choices, returning from a fencing competition to his boarding house. school from which he was just expelled for failing four out of five lessons. So, during the journey back to his parents' house, over the next three days Holden meets new people, new experiences and new ideas. On his long journey home Holden goes through psychological wars within himself. Holden shows themes of anxiety, depression and teenage sex. He shows glimpses of a good, respectful man by the way he treats women. It shows his great love for his sister, Phoebe, who he cares about very much. He does his best to hide her from the world he sees and protect her from it so that she never feels like him. He also shows his bad choices in life by drinking and smoking even though he is underage. Holden is also symbolic of the isolation that some kids feel. “Anyway, it was the Saturday of the football game. I remember being at the top of Thomsen Hill around three o'clock that afternoon. From there you could see the whole field and you could see the two teams beating each other... in the middle of the page... said these words so many times. Sex and drinking are not something new to them, while pornography is something just a click away and turning on the television to hear the same words they read. But no matter when or where they are, this book can help a teen with whatever they're going through by making them feel like they're not alone in their situation. Holden is not an inspirational figure but rather the opposite. If teenagers saw the life Holden is living, getting kicked out of multiple schools, underage drinking, smoking, and isolation, they would see how it ends and how bad it actually is. If they see how influential Holden is, they will see that his path is not the one to follow. I believe this book will help and has helped many adults and young people overcome a difficult time. That's why I believe it should be on every school shelf.