Literary Criticism In Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

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A good debate can fuel emotion; however, literary debates rarely enter mainstream society--until now. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain in the late 1800s, many critics often say that this novel should not be used in present day schools, while many firmly believe that it should be. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is frequently recognized for the use of the word “nigger” to describe one of the main characters, Jim. Unfortunately, various critics only focus on the use of the word “nigger”, instead of the symbolic nature of the book that illustrates what it used to be like in the hectic times after Slavery, in the South. Mark Twain uses the word “nigger”, not to have a negative meaning, but to help the reader further …show more content…
Many critics believe that the novel should not be used in schools today, while many other critics/students believe the novel should be used in schools today. Many students believe that the critics focus too much on the excessive use of the word “nigger” and it causes them to miss the overall meaning of the novel. Mark Twain doesn’t mean any bad by using the word “nigger” so many times; he uses it because it is a word that usually describes African American Slaves in the South during the 1880’s. When critics don’t focus on the use of the word “nigger”, they realize that the novel is a good representation that people should not be worried about what society thinks of them just like Huck and Jim do. Despite many critics believing that The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn should not be used in schools today, high school students contest that is should be used in schools due to three reasons already stated: the American History related to the novel, the powerful relationship that Huckleberry and Jim have, and lastly the impressive and symbolic Mississippi River. To ensure that this novel does not leave the shelves of American high schools today, teachers and students must read closely and look past the use of the word “nigger” to further realize the symbolic ways of the

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