The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, is a classic piece of American literature that has been widely read and enjoyed since its publication in 1884. However, over the years, this novel has also been the subject of much controversy and has been banned in some schools and libraries. The main reason for this ban is the use of racial slurs and language that is offensive to some readers.
While it is important to recognize and acknowledge the harm caused by the use of such language, it is also important to consider the historical context in which the novel was written and the overall message of the story.
Huckleberry Finn is set in the antebellum South, a time period marked by slavery and racial inequality. Twain's use of racial slurs and offensive language reflects the reality of the time period and the attitudes of the characters, who are products of their environment. To censor or remove these aspects of the novel would be to erase an important part of history and the realities of the time period in which the story takes place.
Furthermore, the novel is not just a portrayal of racial injustice, but also a commentary on it. Twain uses the character of Huckleberry Finn to explore the theme of morality and the consequences of one's actions. Through his journey with Jim, a runaway slave, Huck grapples with his own beliefs and ultimately decides to help Jim escape to freedom, even though it goes against the laws and societal norms of the time. This decision shows Huck's growth as a character and his rejection of the racism and injustice that surrounds him.
In conclusion, while the use of racial slurs and offensive language in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is certainly problematic and should not be condoned, banning the novel is not the solution. The novel should be approached with an understanding of the historical context in which it was written and the broader message of the story, which promotes moral growth and the rejection of injustice.
Why Huckleberry Finn Should Not Be Banned Essay
As times moves forward Huck starts to realize how niggers have been treated throughout life and began to respect him more by who Jim is on the inside. He felt by helping Jim he was committing a sin, but he later realized "you can't pray a lie"5. In the US high schools, this book has caused a lot of controversy as well. People like Miss Watson, who represent the established belief system of Huck's society, tells him that blacks were nothing but property and should be treated as such. It shows how the times were and history of the South as written by Mark Twain.
Huckleberry Finn Should Not Be Banned
That is if, I cannot convince you, or the majority of your organization to not move forward with this motion. However, the study of challenging literature introduces students to new ideas and lessons that they can apply Huckleberry Finn Should Be Banned Essay 718 Words 3 Pages The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Should be Banned From Schools In school are students supposed to learn about bad language and how to treat people poorly? The novel consists of profanity, violence, and mature content. People who want to ban the book miss the idea entirely. Reasons Why Books Should Not Be Banned? It showed how to a young boy like Huck Finn saw how the times were through his eyes. In reading the novel I realized that the different attributes of the book outweighs the reasons that it should be. This debate dates back to the 50s when desegregated schools across the nation started reading …show more content… While he travels down the Mississippi with Jim, Huck encounters different characters and situations that help him come of age and grow morally as he sheds his previous, racist views on slavery that society forced onto him. You cannot just erase history and make it go away.
BANNED: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
He has no right to write about something that did not affect him. Some people are uncomfortable with the use of the word "nigger" and are against the teaching of the book in high school because the novel is offensive. Since this book contains many racial slurs and violence, people want it banned or censored. School Board members should not ban certain books because students can get more of a challenge from certain books, you also can get many life lessons from a more mature book, and students also get more of a choice which means more books to read. Many books have been censored or banned in libraries and schools across the United States because of their suggestive or inappropriate content. The first one is how he treats Jim when he first meets him at Jackson's Island and the second is to tear up the letter to Miss Watson because he cares deeply for Jim. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should stay in the high school curriculum because it is unprejudiced, historical, and important to literature.
