In addition to this, Catcher in the Rye is a novel that can be taught on a number of levels, all of which can appeal to teenagers. Catcher contains language that could be deemed vulgar and offensive, yes, but it is still far gentler than the everyday language of most high schoolers. More than this, teaching a book does not mean preaching a book. Above all, I think that often Catcher is taught too narrowly. What the gold ring stands for and what the title means are infinitely less important to me than the issues that the book and its reception raises.
Catcher is simply an excellent book to use to facilitate students' thinking for themselves.