Writing Prompt: Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye, uses his book to really drive home the idea that childhood innocence must be lost before entering adulthood. It is a threshold made clear through Holden’s failures and unrelenting pursuit to rebuild a past that he cannot recreate. “Loss of innocence” is often VERY broad in fictional writing and use for coming-of-age tales like Holden’s in The Catcher in the Rye. What is “loss of innocence” in literature? Do you agree with Salinger’s idea that innocence must be lost for an adolescent to become an adult? Explain and defend your assertion. I would suggest using modern day examples to convey the idea of lost innocence. Examples could include young children learning about the dangers of virtual conversations with strangers or learning about the permanent nature of death. It is very possible that you could disagree with Salinger’s idea. Innocence is something that is so important to the development of children and exposing them to ideas of pain and suffering could have unforeseen consequences.
I am a junior in high school and not very good at writing.