Should Huckleberry Finn Be Taught In Schools Essay

Twain unnecessarily uses the word a total of 219 times throughout the novel. Although this argument is valid, his language is an important aspect of the story. Huck's ignorance often surfaces, and his frequent use of the “n-word” certainly causes the reader to cringe. In a classroom, discomfort among students is often magnified. The offensive language in Huck Finn certainly makes it a difficult book to read, however, it does not entail eliminating the novel from classrooms. Critics have often discussed censoring the book and replacing the “n-word” with “slave” instead. This would be just as ineffective as eliminating the book. Mark Twain intentionally uses this language to bring reality into his story and help show the change that his characters undergo. Changing the diction and language would be changing the story. Just because a word is offensive, doesn’t mean it is being used for the wrong purpose.

Transcendentalism can be observed throughout the text of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and through the text textbook examples of Transcendentalism can be seen from the cast of characters and Huck himself and the situations/adventures that he gets himself into throughout his journey, a journey which enables him to develop his Transcendental ideals.. Transcendentalism is a vital part of The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. By reading and studying the content of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn it is perceived that Transcendentalism is a prevalent influence that can be attributed to plot and the motivations of the Protagonist.

Mark Twain’s novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered an American classic. However, critics demand the book should either be censored or banned from high school classrooms, because of its racial overtones and use of the “N-word” 215 times. Several schools, in fact, have already banned the book. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be censored or banned, and should be read by high school students, because it is an important work of literature that illustrates what life was like for African-Americans prior to the Civil War.

However, in the context of Huck Finn, it is an essential part in the accurate depiction of the south. Twain uses the word “not just as a trigger to outrage but, more important, a means of understanding the precise nature of American racism” (Smith 364). When this word is used in the story, it brings out emotion in the readers and sometimes makes them uncomfortable. Marylee Hengstebeck decided not to teach this book because she had students “firsthand [tell her] how it made them feel…and now [she thinks] that it’s not only insensitive but abusive”. However, the emotion that the word “nigger” creates makes Huck Finn an impactful book. Once a reader closes the book, they see the horrors of racism and this doesn’t occur without the use of “nigger”. By replacing or deleting the word, “it is difficult to imagine how Twain could have debunked a discourse without using [this] specific [term] of… discourse” (Smith, 367). Not only do the white characters use this word, Jim does also. When Jim and Huck first meet, Jim tells Huck that he ran away because “‘[he] noticed dey wuz a nigger trader roun’ de place considable, lately, en [he] begin to git oneasy” (Twain 55). By using the word “nigger” trader, it emphasizes the harshness of slave traders and slavery. Twain uses this word because it common in the 1800s and to pull on the emotions of the

Huck Finn is a historical fiction novel that uses offensive language in a satirical way to portray slavery in the nineteenth century. The novel is questioned for its historical inaccuracies and use in junior high and high school classrooms. Some believe that the “reading aloud of Huckleberry Finn in our classrooms is humiliating and insulting to black students” (Wallace, 17). Yet, others believe that “one gathers a deeper understanding of the meaning of living in a slave society such as the one Huck and his peers lived in” (Barksdale, 49). Because of the novel’s vulgar language and repeated use of the “n-word”: “the appellation commonly used for slaves in slavery time, appears more than 200 times”, the novel can become a source of discussion within the classroom environment (Barksdale, 52). Although students would have to be prepared for the “far-flung historical and psychological causes and consequences”, after reading the novel, its negativity and racial discrimination can be discussed rather than its status as a literary classic (Barksdale, 53). This novel can create a safe way to discuss the use of racial profanities as well as racism during the 19th and 20th centuries compared to the racism experienced in the 21st century. If teachers and students are able to discuss The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in a constructive manner rather than

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 book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, one controversial issue continues to be talked about: whether or not this book should continue to be taught in schools across America. When it comes to the topic of the “n” word, many agree that this degrading word should not appear in any type of school environment; while some are convinced that the choice of words should not be the only reason this book gets banned. By focusing only on that word the people, who want to dispose of this book, overlook the deeper meaning and lessons that are presented throughout the book. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book that provides a realistic portrayal of life in the South post slavery, moral lessons about following your heart, and numerous

To sum up, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an important piece of literature that should be allowed in schools. By banning the book or censoring the n-word, students will either not get the opportunity to learn about slavery in a different way that what is taught at school or they will not learn the true meaning of the story that is intended to be learned. The n-word has a strong impact on the audience and by removing it the story will no longer be seen as one of Twain's original work and will instead cause more controversy on its importance to students. The friendship that was formed throughout the book teaches students something more than slavery and shows how Jim was viewed as more than just a slave. It does not encourage racism and

Ernest Hemingway once said, “all modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain, called Huckleberry Finn:” However, Huck Finn has had its share of controversy. There has been an ongoing debate to whether or not schools should continue to teach Huck Finn because of the obvious racial components and the constant use of the word “nigger”. This word has evolved to be very hurtful and very sensitive to African-Americans and the constant repetition of this word in the novel causes teachers and students alike to be uncomfortable. A southern publishing company has

Twain’s use of the n-word reflects a common part of everyday speech back then when combined with all of the dialects used by different characters. It also shows the complex nature of the word, with both white people and black people using it to refer to others. The author shows how the n-word had many different connotations depending on the situation and who was saying it. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn uses “contested language as an opportunity to explore the painful complexities of race relations” and “stands as a powerful indictment of slavery” (Kakutani). Twain shows how slavery was clearly wrong, but also that the views of society were deeply flawed.

The main aspect of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that has caused controversy is Twain’s repeated use of the n-word. However his use of this word is used to present what was wrong with southern society at the time. Many believe that the racism prevalent in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is too offensive to be taught in schools. The way some

“The free use of a word so associated with hate and racial strife is inappropriate, particularly at a time when hate crimes are rising and race relations are fragile,” says NAACP Pennsylvania state president Charles Stokes. The ongoing debate over The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn mostly entails the use of the “n-word,” poor character structure, and if the novel could have ended better. Stokes continues on, saying, “The concern we have is that to a black child it might be damaging. Also to a white child, or a Hispanic child, those words could be damaging.” Basically he believes that the use of the word could have a negative impact on a child no matter what racial background they are from. Yet at the grade level when The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is taught, students have most likely already heard the word in both neutral and negative connotation. Tolerance.org elegantly elaborates, “they (teens) hear the “n-word” repeatedly in their music and movies.” The article adds more, “after all, high school students have likely already studied Southern slavery in history class.”

Based on the offensive language, perceived racism, portrayal of Jim, negative racial stereotypes, and the word “nigger” used about 200 times, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been criticized and debated by several groups whether it should be banned. The novel sheds light on the issues of racism and slavery, importance of intellectual and moral education, value of freedom and Huck’s maturity. The language in Huck Finn is the natural dialect of the South. Even though there is racism and “niggers” are portrayed in a negative light, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn depicts the reality of Southern life in American past. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be banned as it teaches important lessons and also portrays the reality

Racism is a major topic most feel uncomfortable talking about. For one individual he felt the need to talk about African American slavery, his pen name Mark Twain. Twain a Caucasian man born in 1835 grew up around slavery. Inspired by the movement Twain published Huckleberry Finn a book of a boy by the name of Huck with a runaway slave, Jim. Back in the eighties as Huckleberry Finn was published the novel gathered many critics as it was said to ¨challenged authority, confront religion, and was accused of leading children astray,¨(Schneider, David). In today's society the novel is still debated. Huckleberry Finn has gathered many controversies on whether or not schools should ban the teaching of Huckleberry Finn due to the word ¨nigger¨ used two hundred times. The ¨n¨ word is taken offensive as it was used by whites to bedevil African American slaves. Teaching the novel to students can cause a sense of agitation as the word ¨nigger was taught to not be used or said. The novel has great qualities to teach today's students but the ¨n¨ word is said to be overpowering.

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.