Should Huckleberry Finn Be Taught In Schools Essay

The book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is considered a literary `classic. It has been a recommended read on many schools reading list for many years. But the book does have its share of controversy concerning the content within the book. Censorship is a thing many people do not like and some do not want this book censored and believe that the book should be taught in American classrooms. Others do not believe that and seek to have the book banned from being taught in schools. Huckleberry Finn is not a bad book but the negative aspects of the book may make the book unsuitable to teach. Huckleberry Finn should not be taught in school because it contains racism and offensive characterizations but it teaches that a persons identity is not solely based on their race. Racism is heavily present in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which can be offensive to not only blacks but also whites and other races uncomfortable with the content in the book. In source C, Lester claims that the content in Huckleberry Finn “demeans blacks and insults history”. Lester says that in The
In source A, Alberti suggests that twain explores the idea of racial identity. This excerpt from the article can refer to how towards the end of the story Huck questions his own identity in comparison to Jim’s. In source B, Gregory indicates that Twain himself was on a personal search to identify with black humanity. Regardless of their color Twain seeks to identify with their humanity to better understand. Alberti specifies that Huckleberry Finn is a great gateway for their to be classroom discussions about the touchy subject of racism. This will let the students better identify with one another and better understand each other as individuals not as a separate