Though “Catcher in the Rye” seems to incite a hotbed of criticism from parents who felt the angsty teenage musings were too sexually focused, it is still widely taught in schools nowadays. And it seems as though the main character and narrator, Holden Caulfield, is someone that evokes strong opinions- you either hate him or really resonate with him, and those two are often not mutually exclusive.

The J.D. Salinger novel was one that, though not considered too racy when held to present day standards, created huge waves of criticism at the time of its publishing in 1951. It wades through the brain of a male adolescent living in New York in the 50’s, revealing his experiences and thoughts on sex, love and mental health. And in my opinion, that is exactly why this novel should remain in high school curriculum. It is a great tool to look back on and see how universal many of Holden’s feelings and insecurities are among teenagers.

For a book that was widely banned between 1961 and 1982 for its commentary on adolescent sexuality and supposed hidden “communist plot”, it is often widely commented by students that it is ridiculous that it was once considered so shocking and offensive.

The “Bell Jar” faced criticism among similar lines in the early 60’s, though perhaps to an even greater extent because it was written by a woman. And Sylvia Plath certainly did not hold back. Often cited as a parallel to her own life, “The Bell Jar” was the novel that propelled Plath to popularity. Unfortunately this fame, and sometimes infamy, only came post mortem. Though the narrator Esther Greenwood faces a relatively happy ending, through the fact that she has a child and is writing this narrative years later, the author herself was found dead of suicide one month prior to it’s UK publication, on February 11, 1963.

A wholly honest depiction of depression and female experience in the 50’s, it is highly regarded as a standard in feminist literature. During that time period, mental health was still quite poorly understood, which is evident through Esther’s experience in the mental hospital and lack of understanding from her peers, friends, and family. And though mental health now receives a great deal of coverage and attention in media and society in comparison, it is still beneficial to expose high school students to these themes in literature as well.

If nothing else, it is a classic highly revered. Plath’s prose as well as poetry is just really, well, pretty to read. Her villanelle “Mad Girl’s Love Song”, which also has focuses on female perspective and has undertones of depression, is one of the most beautiful and poems I’ve ever read. But “The Bell Jar” also offers an insightful view into mental disorders as well as finding common ground among those who face a similar experience.