Show notes
Old Mr. Antolini finishes his speech about the size of your mind, makes up the couch, and calls Holden "handsome." Then something happens that readers and scholars have been arguing about since 1951. Jennifer's reaction is immediate. Dan's is complicated. Robot refuses to say a word about it.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
Jennifer's question before anything bad happens: "Is this Holden's catcher in the rye? Who's gonna catch him?"
Dan's relief when Holden says "I still have the paper he gave me" — and what that means about whether Holden survives
Dan's Spencer vs. Antolini comparison — two very different kinds of teachers, two very different kinds of concern
The toothbrush debate and Dan's "Jennifer, I don't want you to die on this hill — this is a very unnoble way to go out, worrying about Holden's teeth"
Dan's full Antolini impression involving a bathrobe and a swizzle stick
Robot's refusal to explain what happened — and why 75 years of scholars can't agree either
Jennifer holding both truths at once: admiration and violation
Dan waiting for the world's slowest elevator while his creepy teacher watches from the doorway
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The people who want this book banned will use this chapter as proof that teachers are dangerous. They'll miss the part where a teenager recognized a boundary violation in real time and walked out. That is exactly the skill they claim to want kids to have. This book just taught it.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
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Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The Catcher in the Rye has been one of the most frequently challenged books in America since its publication in 1951, and was the most censored book in the U.S. from 1961 to 1982. It's been removed from schools and libraries for profanity, sexual references, and "anti-social behavior" — but the deeper reason is that Holden Caulfield gives teenagers permission to question authority, reject conformity, and say out loud that the system feels broken. That's the part that actually scares book banners.
Is there a podcast that reads The Catcher in the Rye chapter by chapter? That's us. Banned Camp reads a different banned book every season, one chapter at a time — neither host has read ahead, so you're discovering the story together in real time. Season 10 covers The Catcher in the Rye, and every episode includes the chapter reading, discussion, a fact-checking Robot, and a segment on why books get banned.
Do I need to start Banned Camp from the beginning? No. Every episode opens with Robot's recap of the previous chapter, so you can jump in anywhere. Most listeners tell us they started mid-season and went back to the beginning after they were hooked.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 24, Holden Caulfield, Mr. Antolini, Wilhelm Stekel, trust, boundary violation, teacher-student relationships, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast