There is a major argument among literary critics whether Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is or is not a racist novel. The question boils down to the depiction of Jim, the black slave, and to the way he is treated by Huck and others. In the 1950s the effort to banish The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from required classroom reading lists came publicly to the floor again, not chiefly on the grounds that its depiction of black characters and the use of the word “nigger” were demeaning to African-American students. Many feel that Twain uses the word too loosely. However, many believe that Huck Finn should be taught in schools on the grounds that the novel’s racist theme accurately depicted what life was like for a slave in pre- Civil War times. Opponents of Huck Finn contend that literary censorship is acceptable. But is not censorship a violation of the first amendment? In places such as Philadelphia and New York City, they have adapted a new version which not only tones down the violence and dialects, but cuts all passages demeaning to African Americans. In today’s hypersensitive society, wouldn’t that be the entire book? It would be impossible to write a novel that did not offend at least one demographic. Being politically correct at the expense of a broadened mindset is simply not worth the sacrifice. There are mixed feelings regarding Huck Finn being taught in elementary schools. On one hand, its themes might be a little too mature for a child’s delicate psyche, confusing them on what is right or wrong. At the same time, one could argue that teaching it early in development allows adolescents to see the evils of slavery, so any potential prejudice can be abolished at a young age, thus reducing the number of hate crimes ... ... middle of paper ... ...If Huck Finn is to be banned in schools on the grounds that it is “racist,” then we should not be assigned any books. The Chocolate War should be banned because it uses offensive language and contains sexual content not suitable for junior high students; Julie of the Wolves should as well, because it contains violence, offensive language, and sexual content; Harry Potter, because it contradicts Christianity and endorses the occult, and And Then There Were None, whose ghastly murder techniques were quite disturbing to me as a 14-year-old. Furthermore, Poe’s morbid and violent works should be excommunicated because their content is unsuitable for “fragile minds.” In reality, should any of these books be banned? No. Maturity, sensitivity, and understanding are all that is needed to effectively teach to the children of tomorrow what is conveyed through these masterpieces.
The Adventures of Huck Finn is a very controversial book which brings much debate on whether it should be taught to children in America. The main reason for this debate is because the offensive word ‘nigger’ is used commonly throughout. The book is a classic and is seen to some people as such a great book that we should overlook the offensive word to understand the real lessons Mark Twain wanted to get across. One solution to this ongoing debate is something called the New South Edition, which substitutes ‘nigger’ for a ‘slave’ a word that is less personal and describes the history of America. Dr. Alan Gribben writes about the controversy and how the change effects the new edition. He uses personal anecdote, emotional appeal, historical references.
The Library has no right to ban Huck Finn on these grounds. The reason that books should be banned is to protect the innocence of young readers and to keep them from reading something inappropriate for their age. The reasons that they (the committee) gave for banning Huck Finn are unsatisfactory and are not valid reasons to ban a book. Now, it is true that for most younger readers the elaborate satire and criticisms of the American culture in Huck Finn are lost, but that is no reason to ban it, it is simply a statement that some will understand the deeper meaning of the book, while for others, it will be lost.
How would you feel if a white boy couldn’t apologize to a grown black man because it goes against his faith? If I was in the black man’s position I would feel disrespected but I wouldn’t blame the white boy because he was brought up like that and it’s in his mentality to look at African Americans as property and with disgust. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain incorporates racism and slavery to show how and why it is wrong. He uses Huck, one of his man characters, to demonstrate how a white boy breaks forth from society’s racist ideas and the people around him to have a strong friendship with a slave name Jim, who becomes a fugitive. He uses Jim to demonstrate humanity and how it has nothing to do with the color of your skin. He also shows the struggle African Americans had to go through during that period of time in order to be free. Through friendship Huck learns that Jim is a regular human being just like everyone else.
To delve into a topic as serious as book censorship, one must first determine the purpose of reading, of literature in general. Blahblahblah (what Ms Buckingham said). Mark Twain’s novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has sparked much controversy since its publication in 1884 due to countless racial slurs and stereotypes; in fact it is the most commonly banned book in American history (source). While many argue that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be banned, the literary merit, namely the realistic setting and characterization, outweighs the vulgarity and crude language. Twain’s satirical social commentary provides a moral exploration of racism and a vignette-style plot of contrast between the shore and the land and between Huck Finn and his partner-in-crime, Tom Sawyer.
“Who gets to decide what I get to read in schools?” This question was brought up by Dr. Paul Olsen in a recent lecture. This question inspires many other questions revolving around the controversy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It makes one wonder if books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be included in high school curriculum even with all the controversy about them or are they better left alone. Should The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn be taken off of school reading lists because of a single word when it has so much more to offer students? The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be included in high school English curriculums because it is relevant to current issues, it starts important conversations about race
High Schools in the United States should not ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book is one of the most important components of American literature in our libraries today, it throws the reader into a time when slavery was lawful and accepted, and gives the reader a new perspective on slavery in general. Until civil rights groups can come up with a better argument than the word “nigger” creating a “hostile work environment”(Zwick) it should not be taken off the required reading list of any High School in the country.
These problems, that have been faced and are being faced in America must be talked about. Just not with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as the platform. Jane Smiley said that “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has little to offer in the way of greatness” and honestly she couldn't be more right. (Say it ain’t so Huck 356) There are an overwhelming number of novels that could explain American slavery and racism. Jane Smiley said that “Uncle Tom’s Cabin’s portrayal of an array of thoughtful, autonomous, and passionate characters leaves Huck Finn far behind.” (Say it Ain’t so, Huck 358) The discussion of slavery and the harsh racism from whites to blacks need to happen in classrooms. Not with Huckfinn because it is outdated. Mark Twain once said that, “a ‘classic’ is a book which people praise but don't read.” Contradicting to his own novel, Twain’s HuckFinn was praised without being truly read. Meaning that its title as a classic is wrong. Its way easier for HuckFinn to be taught wrong then right. Looking at one of the first encounters of the book, in the scenes where all the boys are in a “gang” “some thought it would be good to kill the families.” (Twain 21) The book set in pre-civil war time. From the prospective a white kid’s opinion on slavery. One of the pure goals of the book it is to talk about how people were racist and didn't even realize it. Huck’s whole mentality towards Jim shows this. Jane Smiley noted that twain really saw Jim as no more than Huck’s sidekick.” (Say it Ain’t so Huck 335) While slavery is very present in today’s day and age it is very different then it was during the antebellum time period. In fact, racism today is completely different then it was just 25 years ago. Jane Smiley says “Jim is never autonomous, never has a vote, always finds his purpose subordinate to Huck’s, and like every good sidekick, he never minds.” Every high school student knows that America has a history
...t"(Mullen 1). We need to remember and acknowledge the fact that these young people are juniors and seniors who differ in ages from 16 to 18 and in some cases are halfway to legal adulthood. The students reading this novel can make decisions for themselves based on what they know as right or wrong. Reading Huckleberry Finn one time in their literature class will not change that.
...ain, should definitely be taught in every high school classroom. By using the powerful relationship of Huck and Jim, Twain illustrates the morals that these characters had attained during the course of the novel. Tom started off as a troublemaker and turned into a young man that truly cares for his friends, no matter what color skin they had. And Jim turned out to be a caring and compassionate friend that most people back then would have never even thought of. The fact that Mark Twain accomplished all of these feats even with the use of the “n-word” makes the novel even more noteworthy. It should never be prevented from being taught to any student; every student should have the opportunity to read and take in the important messages this book has to offer. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a lifelong American classic that will never fade away in American history.
When taking a look at Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, racism is a large theme that seems to be reoccurring. What some may think to be racism in Twain's words, can also be explained as, good story telling appropriate to the era the story takes place in.
In conclusion, the reason I am for the novel, Huckleberry Finn, to be exposed to high school students is so that the conversation on the abrupt word “nigger” can be discussed. It exposes the reader to an author who is unafraid of showing the reality of the language people spoke. This book makes those who read it look deeper into the meaning of the words used hundreds of years ago.
Racism, a major issue in society for hundreds of years, even after the abolition of slavery, still affects millions of people. African Americans today still sensitivities towards racism, and the reading of Huckleberry Finn demonstrates the pertinence of racism today similarly to two hundred years ago. When reading novels containing nineteenth century racism, African American readers are exposed to the torments their ancestors were put through, and the novel can have a positive or negative effect in that the reader may enjoy the learning of their history but may also feel humiliated in relation to their classmates of other races. In the literary novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the apparent racism in the book affects
Mark Tawin’s novel, Huckel Berry Finn, is an American classic. Huck’s journey with Jim illustates the complexity of the past and the trials they both had to overcome toegther. Although the book sparks racial tensions, it should not be banned in schools because students learn to have their own morals, even if they go against society and the value of friendship. This book refelcts the racial dimensions of our past as an American society, and reveals how far we have come. This is why Huckel Berry Finn needs to be read throughout all American schools.
The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn’s unique ability to incorporate moral lessons through satire and simmilar literary techniques prove it to be vital for High school students, especially at Rye, to read. The vast nature of things it teaches is something very rare for one book to do. It not only provides the reader with important life themes like other great novels do but it also shocks the reader to show the power of racism which makes it one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time. Just think of how different things would be if no one had read such an important book.
Despite all the criticism, of racism and other questionable material for young readers, Mark Twain’s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is a superbly written novel, which in the opinion of this reviewer should not be remove the literary cannon. Twain’s novel is a coming of age story that teaches young people many valuable lessons and to some extend makes students reexamine their own lives and morals. The most common argument for its removal from the literary canon is that the novel is too racist; it offends black readers, perpetuates cheap slave-era stereotypes, and deserves no place on today’s bookshelves. However one must ask if Twain is encouraging traditional southern racism or is Twain disputing these idea.