Discussion On Whether Huck Finn Should Be Banned
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a controversial topic in today’s school system. Vulgar language, rebellion against religion and portal of the south has brought it under scrutiny multiple times. It has been banned from many public libraries and pulled out of schools, curriculums for years however there are still many that believe it should be taught and see the book for the educational purpose it provides readers. It reveals historic description of the time that should be opened up, discussed, and taught in today’s schools.
Huck Finn’s use of “nigger” directed towards African Americans has brought controversy to society since 1883 when it was published. The use of the N word appears over 200 times throughout the novel. “Nigger” is a very foul word that for many means a hard time in history that a minority group was oppressed and treated inhumanely. Mark Twain used the word was to bring power to themes of racism and slavery.” In today’s society the word in that context has no place in a book that uses it in a manner such as Huck Finn. However back in the 1880 that was normal in society and the word did not have the power it does today. It has been said that Huck Finn’s excessive use of racial slurs are voiding the book of its true substance and implanting the word in today’s youth vocabulary. If Twain’s classic Huck Finn is banned because racist remarks and descriptions for a runaway slave should books about civil war, the Mexican war, and post-civil war era topics also be banned? If this was true the education system would have to completely wipe out American history.
“Here was a free nigger there from Ohio — a mulatter… and he had a gold watch and chain, and a silver-headed cane — the awful- est old gray-headed nabob in the State. And what do you think? They said he was a p’fessor in a college, and could talk all kinds of languages, and knowed everything. And that ain’t the wust. They said he could VOTE when he was at home. Well, that let me out. Thinks I, what is the country a-coming to? It was ‘lection day, and I was just about to go and vote myself if I warn’t too drunk to get there; but when they told me there was a State in this country where they’d let that nigger vote, I drawed out. I says I’ll never vote agin”. Without the use of “nigger” you would not understand paps hatred towards the African American that is ironically better set than pap. The reader may look at this as pap just venting because of African American man, which at the time was out of the norm, and not see that pap is actually a very racist, hateful man.
However for some people Huck Finn could be seen as extremely offensive to African-Americans, as it uses rude and aggravating racial slurs. It could also stir up depressing feelings of the times when blacks were enslaved and treated inhumanely. It could also be seen as encouraging ideas of defying rules of society, lying and stealing to others.
