by Rachel Freeman

Controversy has always surrounded Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The concern mainly revolves around the racism and racial slurs in the book. The novel has been banned in several schools, while many others are attempting to keep it out of school curriculum. It is an important American novel that should be taught under the supervision of a teacher, so it should not be banned from schools. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been regarded as one of the greatest American novels for decades. Many see it as the first real American novel. For years American novelists followed the European style, but Twain was able to change this fashion with his work, which gives it great literary value. Students should not be deprived of the opportunity to read pieces of literature that are important in the history of our country. It is also important because it reflects an important, although not noble, American time period. Mark Twain was able to depict the appalling treatment of African Americans in the nineteenth century. Time and time again, Jim is treated as an inferior being because he is black, and he begins the novel as a slave. Twain does not put a false face on the racism, and therefore students can benefit from the knowledge of the mistreatment. There are many other aspects of this book that are important, and should not be overlooked. If this novel is one of the greatest ever written by an American author, it should not be undermined and banned from schools. Keeping this novel in school curriculum makes it possible for students to not only read the novel, but also understand it. The racial slurs make the novel a story that should not be read in someone’s spare time or without an edifying discussion on the implications of using certain words that Twain does. If someone reads the racial slurs hundreds of times, they may become numb to the true meaning. The novel’s opponents argue that the reader might not understand that the word "nigger" in not acceptable to use, and may use it as an insult against African Americans. By taking the novel out of school curriculum, an unguided reader may have this happen to them. If the book is read at school with the assistance of a teacher, student are able to learn what the ramifications of this word are. A deeper understanding of racism can develop from reading this book and learning about the history behind it. The best setting for this to happen is at a school, because there are educators to teach students important lessons while they read the novel. By banning The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, educators have only taken the easy way around dealing with the problem it has presented. Mark Twain’s novel will enrich a reader’s literary insight, and with proper instruction it will not leave them with soar feelings about the racism in the novel. It is important for everyone to know and understand this story, and therefore it should be kept as a part of school curriculum.