Should Huck Finn be Banned in Schools?
February 27, 2017
Ernest Hemingway once said that “All American literature begins with the opening paragraph of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Nevertheless, as is often times with literature and history, Huck Finn has proven itself a contentious issue between teachers, students and parents alike. Since it was published, banning The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been widely and frequently debated. The question of whether to ban the novel is a sensitive subject for people on both sides of the issue to this day.
Written in 1885, Huckleberry Finn is a story about the friendship between a white boy, Huck and a slave, Jim, and how their mutual plight as runaways creates a bond that challenges and marginalizes “pre civil war” norms.
Proponents of the ban argue that Huck Finn should be banned because of its liberal use of the n-word and the time period the book is set in. “I think Huck Finn could make some students uncomfortable in the classroom so I understand why people might want to ban it…it’s a piece of history we don’t want to repeat,” said Gillian Ford. Another Quaker school, Friends Central School decided not to teach the book anymore. Art Hall, the school’s principal explained that they had “come to the conclusion that the community costs of reading this book in 11th grade outweigh the literary benefits.” At a time when racial slurs are seen as rightly unacceptable, to some, Huck Finn, is a step back in time.
Opponents of banning the book argue that the book is a classic and that it holds historical value that all students should be aware of. “I think Huck Finn is possibly the great American novel because it teaches us about our past, it teaches us about race which many have called the great american sin and it shows the development of American literature,” said Dave Kahn.
In addition to Huck Finn being a classic, many opponents don’t find the book racist because of the friendship Huck and Jim develop. “I think the book itself is actually anti-racist. I think Twain is trying to help readers understand that slavery is immoral and that Huck and Jim are equal. The fact that the characters have trouble understanding this means we should all work hard to understand it,” said Ariel Vorhees.
Despite the differences in opinion that both sides have, one thing they both agree on is the importance of doing what’s best for the students. Consensus on what that looks like has yet to be reached.
Jeremy Mednik • Apr 6, 2017 at 1:42 pm
I really like how well-written this article is. I personally do not feel the book should be banned. Although certain parts of the book are offensive and uncomfortable, it is a very important piece of literature. I feel that for certain aspects, “Huck Finn” can be more informative than It provides a look into the past and shows how people acted and spoke.
-Jeremy Mednik
Dash Luo • Mar 6, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Well done, this is just as good any article from NY Times. I would agree with Ariel. The book should not be banned from school. As you said, we should learn from our past and not repeat it, would it be wise to ban a book that portrayed the history as it is? Instead, we could analyze the book, understand the conflicts so that we can “learn” from it. Without a doubt, the words in this book can be offensive. Whether it’s offensive or not, it all depend on how the person handles it; to look at the smaller picture and say the N-word is offensive. Or, to look at the bigger picture, and understand what the story is actually about.
Dash Luo • Mar 6, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Dash
Alex Polón • Feb 28, 2017 at 9:42 pm
I can definitely understand both sides of the argument. However, I believe that simply disregarding a part of history only has negative impacts. People cannot just ignore one of the most important parts of U.S. history even though it is terrible to think about. It is from that place of being uncomfortable that we learn from past mistakes and move towards a brighter, more accepting future.
-Alex Polón
P.S. Great job Amelia 🙂
Janet Mednik • Feb 28, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Very well written, thought-provoking article.
In my view, it would be sad to remove books from schools based on the level of discomfort they provoke. It’s a slippery slope.
Colleen Cooper • Feb 28, 2017 at 8:46 am
In my opinion although it may unsettle and feel uncomfortable to read for some, the word is not what the message of the book is suppose to be about. The book has more to do with the content and meaning of the story and the kinship that is formed between two people who would have been unlikely friends back in the day.
Colleen