Huckleberry Finn Essay

To Be Banned, or Not to Be The book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, has been banned in numerous schools and communities since it’s publication in 1885. There are many explanations for this but there is only one main reason: the use of derogatory terms. Others include “challenging authority, poking at religion, and leading children astray” (Schneider 1). This has been an issue for over 100 years and it is still going on. Parents do not want their children exposed to this type of language and society and it is debated in many schools whether or not to keep the book. The choice of wordage used in the book has been the most severe problem, especially in schools. The “N-word” is used quite frequently throughout the book and is offensive to some people. The word is used a total of 219 times, 3 times in 2 sentences. Even if Twain used this type of language to take us back to the way people spoke back then and not to offend anyone, many schools don’t approve and change their reading list for the students. Clark, an African American, says, “it’s not just a word” (Roberts 1). In trying to defend and protect each other, family members push to ban the book, saying “That word, in the history of America, has always been a degrading word toward African Americans. When they were brought to America, they were never thought of as human beings in the first place, and this word was something to call a thing that wasn't human.” (Roberts 1). Supporters of getting the book banned say that it is unacceptable and intolerable to be teaching this book around the nation, while supporters of keeping the book say Twain is showing the views people had on each other back then and the thoughts that went through their heads. Another reason for banning the book is challenging authority and lack of role modeling used. Throughout the book, Huck lied to many people to stay out of trouble, not get killed, and to survive. Lying is not the answer and schools don’t want students to think that it is okay in any situation. Huck also steals, especially towards the end when he is trying to free Jim. Teaching children that stealing is good also isn’t the best. Cleary said, The book was banned when it was first published, not for the controversy it stirs today over the use of the term "nigger," but for the type of role model Twain created in Huck of smoking, swearing and other vulgarities including

Show More

Satire In Huckleberry Finn

Isolationism In Huckleberry Finn