The Controversy Over Mark Twains The Adventures of...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a controversial book that has raised heated debates across America for the past century. It was ranked fifth most challenging books out of one hundred in the 1990s (Chadwick 2). Although this book is a hot topic, it should remain on shelves, and still be taught in schools. While Huck Finn seems to be only a book of satire, most want this book banned because it is seen as highly racial. â€Å"The reading of Huck Finn is humiliating to back students. It contributes to low self-esteem. Only the insensitive and often unwittingly racist teachers respond ‘This book is a classic’ (Washington post 6).† The use of the word nigger upsets many black students and instigates the other students to use†¦show more content†¦The book is so comical, and lively all the way through. What makes this book so controversial is the fact that the word nigger is used more than 200 times in the book, but Twain simply used the term as they would back then. Can you say anyone dislikes Jim? No, we grow fond of him, perhaps love him. The n-word is not demining (Jones 154). Shelly Fisher Fishkin quotes, â€Å"Huck Finn is the greatest anti-racist novel by an American writer today.† This is proven in chapter XXXIV of Huck Finn when Huck knew helping Jim may get them killed, but he chooses to try to make him a free man. The book possesses good qualities, and morals. Huck could have turned Jim in; but kept him a secret and stayed afloat the river of freedom. We can also learn that our society is not what is seems. Although everyone is of Christian faith, they still own slaves, and are morally bad people. The novel presents a new perspective on today’s society and how it is still very much like Twain’s time. The need to ban this book from shelves and schools should stop. People need to start to embrace this book with meaning and the humor it possesses. The Banned Books Week Club celebrates the F irst Amendment and the freedom to read by posting a list of banned books that society should read, Huck Finn being 6th on the list (Adler7). In schools teachers need to learn how to explain Twain instead of banning his works of literature.Show MoreRelatedMark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn1575 Words   |  6 Pages Mark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Controversy Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is a highly recognizable figure in American literature. Born in Florida, Missouri Mark Twain and his family moved to Hannibal, Missouri where Twain discovered and fell in love with the mighty Mississippi River. The river and his life in Hannibal became his inspiration and guiding light in most of his writing. Although Twain loved the river and did a great deal of traveling, he eventuallyRead MoreHuckleberry Finn Persuasive Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pagesalmost-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 â€Å"N-word†. However, many scho lars and associations have devised a â€Å"solution†Read MoreRacism of Yesterday and Today Essay1655 Words   |  7 PagesThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by Mark Twain in the middle of the nineteenth century. Much of the inspiration for the book came from Mark Twain’s own encounters. Twain’s experiences as a steamboat pilot from 1835 to 1845 provided a great deal of the historical context for his work. The novel revolves around a southern boy, Huck, and a slave named Jim who both reject society by running away in hopes of finding freedom. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn highlights and portrays theRead MoreMark Twain : Seeing America s Flaws1593 Words   |  7 PagesMark Twain: Seeing America’s Flaws â€Å"You don’t know about me, without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain and he told the truth, mainly. There was things he stretched, but mainly he told the truth† (qtd. in Jones 237). That was the very first line in Mark Twain’s controversial book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Samuel L. Clemens, as a young boy, grew up on the Mississippi and learned the ways of southernRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn787 Words   |  4 PagesIn this journal, both Nicole Amare and Alan Manning criticize the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through Mormonism. To Amare and Manning, Twain’s fascination of Mormonism and the character’s literary meanings. Furthermore, they claim of Twain’s use of his use of politician names in the stories, which are seen as juxtaposed by Twain in the novel, impact the character Boggs and Governor Lib urn Boggs of Independence, Missouri. However, these uses of political names can be portrayed as simplyRead MoreEssay on Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn576 Words   |  3 PagesMark 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 Twains book is racist, but in reality Twain was against racism and used this book to make people aware of what wasRead MoreThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain830 Words   |  3 PagesThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is â€Å"A Great American Novel†, because of its complexity and richness. Twain writes dialogue that brings his characters to life. He creates characters with unique vo ice and helps the reader connect to the book. Anyone who reads it is forced to develop feelings for each character. Even though there is a great amount of controversy over the use of some choices, such as the â€Å"n word†, it makes the book more realistic. In the beginning of the novel Huck,Read MoreResearch Paper Mark Twain1306 Words   |  6 PagesIsabella Thomaz Donna Hunter - Period 2 Research Paper - Mark Twain October 26, 2012 MARK TWAIN: A REMARKABLE MAN WHO PAINTED THE WORLD â€Å"Classic - a book which people praise and dont read.† When Samuel L. Clemens (more often referred to as Mark Twain) said this, he meant it in a humorous sense, but he also wanted people to understand it’s meaning. People call books like Huck Finn and Gatsby classics, yet the idea that these books are actually read by everyone isn’t so. Twain isn’t justRead MoreRespect The Elderly By Mark Twain1565 Words   |  7 Pagesthe elderly. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one hundred and thirty years old, yet unfailingly manages to fascinate, infuriate, and inspire its readership. The novel rests on many a bookshelf and regularly appears on lists of literary legends- though it is equally likely to top a list of controversial and profane works. Certainly, there is no other book in the oeuvre of Mark Twain that commands attention more deservedly than Huckleberry Finn. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the decidedRead More Prejudice and Racism in Huckl eberry Finn Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesHuckleberry Finn: The Immorality of Racism A majority of people in American society believe that school systems must teach children that racism is morally wrong. Often, however, tension has builds over how to teach this important lesson. Unfortunately, a controversy has built over the teaching of Huckleberry Finn. Although some believe that Mark Twains novel perpetuates racist feelings, in fact Twain uses the characters to demonstrate the immorality of slavery. Miss Watson and Pap