Teenagers Need Huck Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered one of the greatest pieces of literature written, yet to this day it is still debated on whether it’s a novel that should be read in high schools across the country. When the book was originally published, it was denounced because it was thought to lead children astray; however, now it is criticized for its supposed racism and use of the racial slur “nigger” and “injun”. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is still required in high school curriculums because it’s entertaining unlike most required novels, it’s true to Twain’s realistic style that’s entwined with the local color of the river, and despite its implied racism, …show more content…
Now, I’m of the belief that a word is only as powerful as you make it, but I can fully understand how in this case it can pack quite a punch when you say it. Reading a book out loud and talking in general are two very different actions though. When you read Huck Finn, you have to understand that Twain used the real setting of the Southern Mississippi, and as Webb Harris Jr. put it, not having people act like they did at the time would be absurd. It is historically accurate that most people in that region at that time used racial slurs. It is often pointed out that not only are there racial slurs, but that Jim also falls into stereotypes. As I said before though, almost every group is poked at, not just racially. From Huck’s pap being a drunk, to people from Arkansas watching the Duke and the King, women being ditzy, no one is safe from Twain’s teasing. I believe Twain only used the setting he did for Huck Finn because it’s the one he knew at heart, so he could make a realistic setting that’d fit his style of writing. I also like to think that Twain wanted to show kids that growing up should be an adventure, not a snoozefest because that’s who Twain was. Huck learning how to go against common prejudices isn’t racist, instead it’s just a powerful tool to show that kids should stick to what they believe in. Huck Finn is never really about anything other than the path to maturity, and with all the violence and sex we have in media I think kids who are reaching a mature age themselves will be able to handle this book.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered one of the greatest pieces of literature written, yet to this day it is still debated on whether it’s a novel that should be read in high schools across the country. When the book was originally published, it was denounced because it was thought to lead children astray; however, now it is criticized for its supposed racism and use of the racial slur “nigger” and “injun”. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is still required in high school curriculums because it’s entertaining unlike most required novels, it’s true to Twain’s realistic style that’s entwined with the local color of the river, and despite its implied racism, …show more content…
Now, I’m of the belief that a word is only as powerful as you make it, but I can fully understand how in this case it can pack quite a punch when you say it. Reading a book out loud and talking in general are two very different actions though. When you read Huck Finn, you have to understand that Twain used the real setting of the Southern Mississippi, and as Webb Harris Jr. put it, not having people act like they did at the time would be absurd. It is historically accurate that most people in that region at that time used racial slurs. It is often pointed out that not only are there racial slurs, but that Jim also falls into stereotypes. As I said before though, almost every group is poked at, not just racially. From Huck’s pap being a drunk, to people from Arkansas watching the Duke and the King, women being ditzy, no one is safe from Twain’s teasing. I believe Twain only used the setting he did for Huck Finn because it’s the one he knew at heart, so he could make a realistic setting that’d fit his style of writing. I also like to think that Twain wanted to show kids that growing up should be an adventure, not a snoozefest because that’s who Twain was. Huck learning how to go against common prejudices isn’t racist, instead it’s just a powerful tool to show that kids should stick to what they believe in. Huck Finn is never really about anything other than the path to maturity, and with all the violence and sex we have in media I think kids who are reaching a mature age themselves will be able to handle this book.