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So the Trustees of Ohio State were right in 1956 when they…

“So the Trustees of Ohio State were right in 1956 when they canned the English instructor for assigning Catcher in the Rye to his freshman class. They knew there is no qualitative difference between the kid who thinks it's funny to fart in chapel, and Che Guevara. They knew then Holden Caulfield…” quote by E.L. Doctorow
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““So the Trustees of Ohio State were right in 1956 when they canned the English instructor for assigning Catcher in the Rye to his freshman class. They knew there is no qualitative difference between the kid who thinks it's funny to fart in chapel, and Che Guevara. They knew then Holden Caulfield would found SDS.””

E.L. Doctorow

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Censors removed a controversial book, fearing it would inspire rebellion.

In simple terms: Censors feared the book would incite unrest.

Key Takeaway

Consider the impact of controversial works.

Themes

censorship education politics

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • school curricula
  • public policy
  • media regulation

Key Concepts

literary criticism social influence

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should controversial works be banned?
  • What criteria justify removal?
A Different Perspective

Censorship can suppress valuable discourse.

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