In 1883, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published by author Mark Twain who desired to display the ugly truth, hypocrisy, and satire of America. However, since this novel was published in the late 1800s, critics have banned or censored it’s language because it became offensive to certain people which has caused a controversy that continues to exist to this day. In particular, the most troubling aspect was the, “N-word” which had been replaced with, “slave.” Although, people now begin to claim that such a replacement creates an absolute censorship while others believe it is thoughtful. While countless people believe the novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be taught in high school, the actuality is that it takes away certain …show more content…
However, as the average student begins to mature and realize that the real world is tougher, an uncensored version should be allowed to be given. Of course, it depends on the teacher and school on whether or not a book full of deep or hurtful emotions and feelings should be released. By releasing a new censored version, it will begin to replace the original version that was written by Mark Twain during the late 1800s. Henceforth, the true and impactful intention will begin to fade as readers will not receive the emotion and feeling that was originally preconceived. Additionally, the reader will be unable to discover a deeper meaning of the novel as one could miss the point that Americans had used terrible language during that time. Furthermore, censoring certain words throughout the novel is practically censoring a certain aspect of our American history. It is reasonable for a former slave to not want to hear the, “N-word”. However, newborn African Americans are being born as citizens and not slaves which is why they shouldn’t be in agony. The actions and language commited by white Americans is indeed embarrassing; however, it is sometimes necessary if we want to unravel the truth of our American
Supporters of banning say profanity can negatively influence the actions and thoughts of readers, especially younger readers that may not have heard or read many corrupt words. Huckleberry Finn, a book commonly inveighed for its use of contentious racial language, is commonly challenged for that reason. For USA Today, Martha Moore wrote, “When the younger reader is staring at that word five times on a given page and the instructor is saying, 'Mark Twain didn't mean this and you have to read it with an appreciation of irony,' you're asking a lot of a younger reader”. Granted, foul vocabulary is a challenge that academies need to address, but not through barring novels. Besides, if the reader is sufficiently mature for the book, they can still learn from it. For instance, some racial characterizations do not intentionally persecute people, but show the contrasting tensions between them, conforming to the time period. Again, the article “Huck Finn Navigating Choppy Waters Again” revealed, “The word is there for a reason… The word is terrible, it's hurtful, but it's there for a reason” (Moore). The racial epithets used in that book convey the attitude of Missouri in the 1840s when friction between African Americans and white people was rising. Additionally, banning a book due to concerns about the language is not beneficial to pupils because it prevents them from learning from other components of the book. “Often the organizations or schools that ban these books fail to see the book as a whole; they often center on the one page, the one scene or even the one word containing the offensive language or meaning and judge the whole book based on that one aspect,” according to an article by Adriana Lopez. She makes a sound point. A book contains a whole plot with themes that
The revisional author, Alan Gribben, said he worried that the N-word had resulted in the novel falling off reading lists. He believes his sanitized edition will please more readers and teachers. Gribben has plowed over Twain's freedom of speech in the process. After all, Twain isn't around to comment(Dawkins 1). The responsibility of this book belongs to no one. Banning or sanitizing Huckleberry Finn should not be a topic of discussion because Twain had every right to write the book however he desired. Offensive terms and words are being invented right now. We should not pick on historical terms when others are being invented everyday.
Many readers disagree with Mark Twain’s use of derogatory slurs in his novel, believing them to be racist and offensive. They believe the use of the n-word and the display of Jim degrades the African American race and takes away from the true purpose of the novel. Many schools have decided to ban the book or have opted for a revised version, which has removed the derogatory word from the text. Offended, many find Twain as a racist, not an informative author. For example, one student believed Twain was a coward for his inability to portray the story from an adult’s point of view, thereby hiding his lack of humanity behind the child (Racism and Real Life).
Negroes do not like it in any book or play whatsoever, be the book or play ever so sympathetic in its treatment of the basic problems of the race. Even [if] the book or play is written by a Negro, they still [would] not like it” (Henry). In addition, John Wallace believes that the word “nigger” is so offensive that he rewrote the novel without the word “nigger.”
Should Huckleberry Finn be taught in schools? This question has been a topic of discussion over the past years and is still being talked about today. A lot of people say that the book should be banned from schools because of the racial comments in the book. People claim that it could offend the youth, and teach them unfit words. It is understandable for people to be concerned about the books language, but in reality all the book does is enlighten the youth on the history of slavery and many more. In Joan DelFattores article she states. “The elimination of "nigger" is presented not as censorship but as a rescue mission to save Huckleberry Finn from oblivion, because many secondary schools will not teach material that makes students
“The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter- ‘tis the difference between the lightning bug and lightning.”(Mark Twain). Mark Twain, the author of an extraordinary yet controversial novel; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn had a great way of capturing moments in time and bringing them to life through the use of meaningful and direct diction. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been a vexed novel for it 's a use of the “N-word”. However, many scholars and associations have devised a “solution” for this problem such as, completely banning the book, creating sanitized versions, or even replacing the book for another American literature novel. “What is so wrong
“All modern literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn,” this is what fellow writer had to say about this classic novel. Still, this novel has been the object of controversy since it was published more than 150 years ago. Some people argue that Huckleberry Finn is a racist work, and that the novel has no place in a highschool classroom. This feeling is generated because a main character in the story, Jim, and other slaves are referred to many times as “niggers.” When Mark Twain wrote this book, he was striving to show the general public that society was wrong in the past, that the way white people thought black people were less than human was a wrong viewpoint. The
If you ever happen to come across a list of banned books across classrooms, surely you must have seen Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn on there. It is ranked number fourteen in Banned Books from 2000-2009 by the American Library Association. Despite its many critics, it is considered one of the greatest novels by many prominent authors. Many controversies such as its coarse language and its disregard to religion follow for this novel, but the main controversy and criticism surrounding it is the use of the n-word. Mixed views are felt about the connotation of the word and the true meaning behind it.
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
High schools within the US shouldn't ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book is one of the most popular book American literature in our libraries these days; it puts the reader into a time once slavery was lawful and accepted, and provides the reader a brand new perspective on slavery generally. Till people will come up with a more robust argument than the word “nigger” it shouldn't be a reason to get rid of this book in many high schools within the country. Every one hundred years dialects modification and what are thought-about “politically correct”, or socially acceptable, changes.
Huckleberry Finn is a classic novel that is taught in a majority of high school classrooms today. It is considered one of Twain’s finest works but is also one of the most controversial as well. The excessive use of the “n” word throughout his novel is very upsetting to some, stirring up the question as to whether or not Huckleberry Finn really is racist. With this question being asked many believe the novel should not be taught in schools, as it is inappropriate and offensive. Although Huck Finn can be mistaken as racist, it should not be banned from schools.
There was also the reason of encouraging kids to run away. The racism reason is understandable but it was a part of life back then, when this book was being written slaves were still not free. when it was published slaves had just been abolished there needs to be some slack. The course language falls in with the racism. There are two main words that show up and they are Nigger and Negro.
Dear Mr. Newcomb: It has come to the attention of Holly HIgh School students that the board of education has been considering to get rid of the book, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Us students believe that they should not be banned, especially just because of two words that are really just words. The word “nigger” and “injun” should never be replaced with the words “slave” and “Indian”. The word slave is not even close to the word nigger.
Something important I found when I read a little more about the novel, is that it was banned and censored in various parts of the world, but especially in the southern United States. The south was offended not only by the crudity, but realistic way Twain portrayed the pre-Civil War American society. Racism, slavery, superstition and morality are some of the most important topics of the novel. Here, Huckleberry Finn is portrayed as an outlaw, some kind of outsider who has grown in complete freedom and therefore a person who neither knows nor applies the rules of society. Huck is a person who does not distinguish what is right or wrong, but who is carried away by his particular way of understanding the world.
Just because there is one nasty word in a novel shouldn't take away the amazing experience away from students because their schools does not allow them to read it. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel with a lot of controversy surrounding it, many people believe it should be read in schools, many others believe that it should not be read in school. The novel should be read in school because the use of things that make the novel's theme and impact relevant. In the novel the use of the n word, the relationship between Huck and his father, and Jim's attitude and personality, all play a huge part of why Huckleberry Finn is such a novel that has lots of impact on readers.