Censorship Of Classic Books

This article aimed to express the concerns and disappointments of those who are not pleased with the banning of very popular books they loved as a children. These people do not agree with book banning because in their times, when they were children, they were allowed to read whatever appealed to them. Amongst these now banned books are; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Beauty, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Catcher in the Rye, as well as many other classic books. But this book banning is not something fairly new. Book banning started in the early 1990s where by 1994, the demand for removal of books had increased by more than 50%.

Many books around the world have been banned because they are offensive. One example is Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel about the journey of a thirteen-year-old boy named Huck, who fabricates his own death to run away with an escaped slave named Jim. The two voyage in a raft along the Mississippi River to gain their individual freedom. In addition, Huck gains a new understanding about humanity. Huck Finn has been creating great controversy on both sides of the argument: to ban or to keep in the school curriculum. Currently “much debate has surrounded Mark Twain’s Huck Finn since its publication in 1885, but none has been more pervasive, explosive, and divisive than that surrounding the issue on race”

Since The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in January 1885, it has always been in trouble. It is considered the one book from which all modern American literature came, but was condemned in Mark Twain's time as coarse and vulgar, so it was banned from the shelves. Still controversial today, many school districts across the country have banned it from their curriculum for being racist. Unsurprisingly, this is nearly always at the insistence of those who have never even read the book. It is also no surprise that so many students have read it just to see what those guardians of their morals have found so offensive (Edwards p.2).

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an outstanding work of American literature that evokes controversies even 133 years after it’s publishing. It’s known that this novel in the past few years has been banned by several high schools regarding the use of language within the book. However in literature, English, and American history classes today, Huck Finn is still taught frequently. Contrary to opinions regarding the teachings the book in the past, I believe that high schools should include Huck Finn in our curriculum. As a student who has read the book, I believe that the use of language contributes to Mark Twain’s invention of giving a new view on works of literature. Even though the n-word, an epithet that’s been used in the book 219 times

In the Western World, “Banned Books Week” is a relatively new quasi-holiday celebrated each year in late September. For the duration of the week, people are encouraged to read and learn about books that have been challenged or banned for their content, be it slightly controversial or downright blasphemous. For the first time in history, controversial books are beginning to be celebrated for their thought-provoking nature rather than shunned for their risqué content. Over the years, some of the most critically acclaimed classics, including J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, have been banned for reasons ranging from foul language, to overt sexual and violent themes, to references to the occult (“Banned”).

Mark Twain was an astounding author of his time who often wrote humorous stories tied in with satire and irony. Due to his innovative and unique style of writing, Twain’s books have been labeled classics. One of his most known works is the much loved Huckleberry Finn. The book is often read and taught in many schools as part of the curriculum. However, there has been much controversy over the book due to the usage of the N-word throughout the story. Due to the language used, many schools are quite apprehensive about the book. Many want to take it out of the curriculum completely or use an explicated version as they find it not appropriate or suitable for the reading level of the class. However, Twain’s usage of the word was simply in terms of literature where the story was staged in a period of racism and slavery.

The events present in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that may seem drastic to us were almost commonplace during that time period, but still enough people believe that the books racial slurs and overall dehumanization of blacks is enough to remove it from schools. Sharon Rush points out that the “N” word is used more than 200 times throughout the book and that the term encourages degradation

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is Number 14 on the list of 100 banned/challenged books (ALA). With a book ranked this high on the list, it only is natural that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn evokes controversy. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was first published in 1884 and was banned a year after in 1885 (Ruta). It is banned for its portrayal of stereotypes of African Americans and Southern United States culture, and most importantly its excessive use of the word “Nigger.” The book has been challenged, defended, and banned throughout the years since its release, with limited classrooms teaching it. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be taught in classrooms because of its relatability to modern day students, the realistic description of slavery, and most importantly, it is an ideal exemplar of realism and regionalism in literature.

For more than a century Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been ridiculed and banned by schools across the United States. Over the years many people have asked “Should this novel be taught in classrooms?” Most believe that this novel does more harm than good. This novel should be taught in schools because it provides a clear picture of what time was like back in the 1800s. The N word is known to cause many problems but if teachers can teach the message Twain was trying to say then students would understand that this book was not hating on a particular group of people. As Americans we can learn from this novel, to never allow such racist claims to any race throughout our future.

Racial tension is a worldwide problem based on skin color, appearances, characteristics, and abilities. Racism and discrimination have been used strongly as weapons of dreadful fear or hatred, during all times such as war and conflict even throughout economic downturns. In America, during the 1800s, the antebellum South and North had many differences. White men and black men were considered to be different and, therefore, had different rights. The book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain started controversy ever since it was published.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is still being disputed ever since its publication in 1884. The use of the n-word has been big discussion for years on end. The constant use of the n-word helps prove many points in the novel. Such as the the terms of class and race without it Huck Finn isn’t the novel we all read and debate. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is extremely controversial and teaches many important morals to the reader. Such as making the distinction between good and evil in the world. The novel should be permitted in high schools across the nation. Although if the situation comes up where a student feels bad by the use of the n-word the novel should not be a mandatory read for the student. One of the

Books used to be a hard copied deed with words handwritten by ink pen, owned by the rich until the advent of the first printing press, enabling many to own multiple copies of this so called books. This also allowed affordable access to information and education for most. As time passed on, words began to show up on electronic devices allowing all to own at least one copy of a book "that's ever been written"; at least until it just "vanishes". Some may see this great technology as the greatest asset of the world, however, others may believe such things are wrong and not the conventional way of doing things. The contentious issue of eBooks replacing the traditional hard copied

Ernest Hemingway declared that “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” How could such a monumental book also be labeled by many as racist trash that has no place on bookshelves? There are several interpretations that come of this book and its author. The main modern day offense appears to be the use of the word “nigger.” During the 1840’s this word was commonly used. Its definition of course meant a black person. This book exposes readers to the word “nigger” in its original diction, not how it is viewed today. Some readers may find that by reading the word repeatedly that the power of the word is

“Neither literature nor history should be changed to be politically correct. Huckleberry Finn should be taught using appropriate historical context.” (Brinks). In the December of 1884, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, is published in the United Kingdom. The novel is known as a product of the literature of its time; it’s main focus on the element of realism. It is incredibly widespread, it’s popularity gained from being one of the first books written in informal English. That popularity is still in act today, earning the novel its label of being an ‘American Classic.’ To the good people of America’s misfortune, Huck Finn is put into deliberation of its relevance in the classroom. Innumerable amounts of people question whether the book is appropriate for students because of its use of the deplorable “N-word.” In opposition of the argument, there are many aspects of the novel that provide excellent teaching moments for the children of today to be educated on. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a meaningful book that deserves its place in the American high school school curriculum because it speaks the truth of the nation’s past, provides unparalleled teaching moments and is clearly a product of realism.

Literature has been created to offer knowledge to the masses and therefore should not be restricted from the viewing of children if they so happen to encounter it. Sources A and B both support the ideology that the censorship of literature deters the learning of themes that are essential to children who are developing their own views on how the world works. Through these sources, one is able to view some negative effects of children not being exposed to all texts but instead censored selections. Also, sources C and F state that it is unlawful and unjust for people or a group of people to try and limit the freedom of expression by censoring literature. These sources exercise the law by way of an example and a citation from the U.S. Constitution.