Racism: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Ever since its publication over a hundred years ago, controversy has swarmed around one of Mark Twain’s most popular novels, Huck Finn. Even then, many educators supported its dismissal from school libraries. For post Civil-War Americans, the argument stemmed from Twain’s use of spelling errors, poor grammar, and curse words. In the politically correct 1990’s however, the point of argument has now shifted to one of the major themes of the book: Racism. John Wallace once said of the book, “It’s the most grotesque version of racist trash” ever written. Were Twain’s archetypal characters and use of vernacular language an assertion of his own racist views, or a critique of the injustice of

Since its publication in December of 1884, Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has created a great deal of controversy in American society. This well-known story follows a troubled young boy and a run away slave as they adventure down the Mississippi in search of new lives. Huck Finn longs for freedom from both his father, and from the society he has been exposed to. Jim longs for freedom from slavery and racism. Readers have argued over the matter of whether or not this novel should be banned from schools due to the frequent use of the “n-word”. It has caused many to question Twain’s intensions throughout the book, and is often seen as offensive. Although slavery has remained a difficult and upsetting issue in our nations

 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered by many to be the greatest American novel ever written.  Despite this praise, Mark Twain’s masterpiece has never been without criticism.  Upon its inception it was blasted for being indecent literature for young readers because of its lack of morals and contempt for conformity.  Modern indignation toward Huck Finn arises from its racist undertones, most notably Twain’s treatment of the character Jim.  As is the case with many canonized yet controversial books, the biggest conflict revolves around the inclusion of Huck Finn on required reading lists of public schools throughout the country.

But according to Michael Meyers, “It is in the classroom, exactly, where the word ‘nigger’ belongs. It does not belong in the street, in casual conversation among whites or between blacks.” (67). John Wallace feels that because the word “nigger” appears over 200 times throughout the story, it “has caused him to be traumatized as a high-school student when it was required reading.” (“View of Slavery Still a Hot Topic”). Wallace went so far as to change the book, replacing any words that he felt were offensive to black people with other non-offensive words like slave or black man. When Wallace changed this book to what he felt was less offensive, the novel lost its irony, and its values (“View of Slavery Still a Hot Topic”). Other people argue that the text is harmful for young African-American students to read, but they must realize that Twain was writing for the time of the story. He wrote these words as a reminder that the way people acted in the past was unacceptable, and should not be tolerated, nor repeated. He knew that the way he had the characters treat Jim and the other slaves was wrong, but he was writing a period piece. These actions fit the way people acted in American society in the 1830's and 1840's (Cryer 60). Twain goes on to show that even though Huck has been brought up to think of blacks as only slaves, and that he knows that freeing a slave, is not only

Huckleberry Finn Is Not to be Sivilized Censorship has always been a controversial subject, particularly when the materials in question are works of literature hailed as American classics. Despite the throngs of adoring fans who undyingly advocate for their favorite stories, certain novels are repeatedly called into question, chief among them The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. 219 occurrences of the N-word have earned the novel a multitude of challenges for crude and offensive language (Source F). However, this single word is fundamental to Mark Twain’s message.

Apart from being one of the landmarks of American literature, Mark Twain’s classic tale,The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a mirror of the deeply embedded racist attitudes of the Deep South in the 1880’s. First, not to mention the most controversial and obvious, is the liberal use of the “n” word throughout the book. Taken as a derogatory term by modern-day Americans, Twain’s use of the “n” word is simply a reflection of the times. Huck Finn was written when cruel and unjust treatment of colored people were commonplace and use of such a word didn’t get so much as a second thought.Huck Finn depicts a time when slaves were not treated as people but as things without emotions or personalities, mere property. For instance, Jim is initially known only in relation to whose property he is. He escapes from being continuously treated as property, even sold to a family that will most likely treat him even less humanely.

Moliere said, “Unreasonable haste is the direct road to error”, which is what most people thought when Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was first published and assigned in classrooms. That allowing such a novel to be taught to children is a disgrace. Assigning the novel Huckleberry Finn, or one like it, in the classroom can result in both positive and negative consequences. In John H. Wallace’s The Case Against Hick Finn he claims this book causes embarrassment for African American children. Similarly, Paul Butler, argues that, despite the historical context, Huck Finn enforced racism among other students in his article Why Bother Reading Huck Finn. Opposingly, in History, Slavery and Thematic Irony in Huckleberry Finn, Richard K. Barksdale argues

     There is a major argument among literary critics whether the adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is or is not a racist novel. The question focus on the depiction of Jim, the black slave, and the way he is treat by Huck and other characters. The use of the word “nigger” is also a point raised by some critic, who feel that Twain uses the word too often and too loosely. Mark Twain never presents Jim in a negative light. He does not show Jim as a drunkard, as a mean person or as a cheat.

In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the novel is argued to either be taught in school or to be banned from schools. Students and parents think that this novel should not be taught at school due to racial discrimination, and use of language. This novel shows more perspectives on slavery, realism, and educates children about American Literature. This novel should be taught in school because, when Huck and Jim’s relationship is revealed through the novel, it shows their commitment to work together, without caring that one is white and the other is black.

Mark Twain has always been one of the most controversial authors of all time. Though in recent years, there has been increasing controversy over the ideas expressed in his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In some extreme cases the novel has even been banned by public school systems and censored by public libraries. The basis for this censorship is the argument that Mark Twain's book is racist, but in reality Twain was against racism and used this book to make people aware of what was going on in the south. He did this by using the regional dialect of the south, showing the attitude of the other characters in the novel toward black people, and showing his depiction of black characters. If one were to "read between the lines"

This generally tends to be in older books, and could contain any perception of racism, from the blatant word calling, to the general notion of discrimination. Racism in banned books is generally the act of older writing, as many books written in this time period do not contain any such acts. Since these books have been written in an older time period, the discussion of slavery is frequently enforced, with it often being written about in a casual manner. Many opponents refer back to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain for the frequent use of racialism. Dominica Ruta discusses this saying that it involves the “Casual use of the N-word, unapologetic portrayals of racism and racists, and grotesque stereotyping, essentially, all the ugly reminders of a past we still find too uncomfortable to talk about in mixed company.” It involves many accounts of racism, all of them which recurrently states off-the-cuff uses of discrimination. There is also the topic in the book with one of the main characters being a slave and Dominica Ruta describes it as being a “Dilemma where Huck faces about Jim’s status as a slave. At several points in the book, Huck is baffled by Jim’s levelheadedness, and doubts the adult man’s insights simply because of race. It is a revelation to Huck, a narrative turning point, when he realizes Jim has feelings. However, Huck

Unmatched in vulgarity, filled with taboo diction, and continually banned from school curricula, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain has become an extremely controversial book in American history. Those who protest the book are most often berating its oversimplification of blacks, its anti-American bite, or its excessive use of the word “nigger.” Advocates for the teaching of this book often argue that it is important to learn from the past or that the art of satire was so masterfully crafted within the pages of the novel that it must be taught to those with the stomach to sift through the pages. Huckleberry Finn, the novel’s protagonist, is a thirteen year old white boy in the 19th century. Huck did not have an easy childhood,

The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been a hot topic of debate among scholars and educators for a long time. Huck Finn continues to teach students important lessons and values, so it is imperative that students keep reading it for a long time to come. Many critics believe that the novel should be removed from the high school curriculum in consideration of its use of the “n-word” and some of the character elements. However, the novel is a great tool for talking about racism, character evaluation, and should continue to be taught to high school students.

    Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is perhaps one of the most controversial novels the North American Continent has ever produced.  Since its publication more than a hundred years ago controversy has surrounded the book.  The most basic debate surrounding Twain's masterpiece is whether the book's language and the character of Jim are presented in a racist manner.  Many have called for the book to be banned from our nation's schools and libraries.  Mark Twain's novel is about a young boy who was raised in the south before slavery was abolished, a place where racism and bigotry were the fabric of every day life.  The novel is the account of how Huck Finn, who is a product of these

Have you ever had a gut feeling that something was wrong, yet you didn’t say anything because it was “Acceptable”? It’s really hard to stand up for what’s right in the heat of the moment, to fight against the flow of society. One boy did just that, Huck Finn. Racism is a issue clearly present in “The Adventures Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. Racism affected how people perceived and treated Jim, but it isn’t a racist book because Twain uses this book to address the issue of racism. Twain creates a story with many racial issues for Huck to be exposed to. Over the course of the book, Huck matures and starts to think for himself, he starts to discern what’s morally right from what is socially acceptable when the situation arises. Many call Twain’s work “Racist”, but is it really?