Why Should Huckleberry Finn Be Banned In Schools
The book Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain has been argued over for years about why it should be banned from being taught in schools since it uses the terms “nigger” and “injun”, both of which are looked down on in today's society for regular use. The reality behind the use of these is that they are put in to satirize that culture. The book is far from racist, it humanizes blacks in a way the people of the time could read without stating that Twain is a sympathizer. Huckleberry Finn follows the protagonist Huck, and his black friend Jim, who is introduced as “Miss Watsons's nigger [had] a hair-ball as big as your fist... he used to do magic with.” (Twain 17) To keep the people of the time with him, Twain had to start by talking about this
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I liked the nigger for that; I tell you, gentlemen, a nigger like that is worth a thousand dollars- and kind treatment, too... The boy was doing as well there as he would 'a' done at home- better, maybe” (Twain 285) Twain comes out and says that this black, was just as helpful as the houseful of whites could've been, possibly more so. The character development of Jim went from the racist assumption of blacks back in the 19th century, in that he was dumb, greedy and a liar, yet when the book comes to a close he is spoken about as though he is welcomed in the household.
Earlier on, the book brings in Huck's father. An angry abusive drunk that leaves until he finds out Huck has money and comes back in to the story exclusively to mooch off his son so he can drown his shameless self with booze. As we get to know Pap he very blatantly needs to drink, so he tells Huck “I've been in town two days, and I haint heard nothing but about you bein' rich. I heard about it away down the river, too. That's why I come. You git me that money tomorrow- I want it.” (Twain 20) This man shows himself to be an ignorant racist against anyone …show more content…
It was written in a way to attract readers who were racist while making fun of them in a way they wouldn't be able to pick up on. The book not only gives human qualities and character growth to a black man. Mark Twain managed to make a book that lasted through time to remind us of the state of the races in his time. Most people would seem to not like to be reminded of history, even though knowing about it is the only way to prevent it from happening
I liked the nigger for that; I tell you, gentlemen, a nigger like that is worth a thousand dollars- and kind treatment, too... The boy was doing as well there as he would 'a' done at home- better, maybe” (Twain 285) Twain comes out and says that this black, was just as helpful as the houseful of whites could've been, possibly more so. The character development of Jim went from the racist assumption of blacks back in the 19th century, in that he was dumb, greedy and a liar, yet when the book comes to a close he is spoken about as though he is welcomed in the household.
Earlier on, the book brings in Huck's father. An angry abusive drunk that leaves until he finds out Huck has money and comes back in to the story exclusively to mooch off his son so he can drown his shameless self with booze. As we get to know Pap he very blatantly needs to drink, so he tells Huck “I've been in town two days, and I haint heard nothing but about you bein' rich. I heard about it away down the river, too. That's why I come. You git me that money tomorrow- I want it.” (Twain 20) This man shows himself to be an ignorant racist against anyone …show more content…
It was written in a way to attract readers who were racist while making fun of them in a way they wouldn't be able to pick up on. The book not only gives human qualities and character growth to a black man. Mark Twain managed to make a book that lasted through time to remind us of the state of the races in his time. Most people would seem to not like to be reminded of history, even though knowing about it is the only way to prevent it from happening