The Censorship of Huckleberry Finn Essay - 1273 Words

The Censorship of Huckleberry Finn Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a significant book in the history of American literature that presents readers with the truth of our past American society in aspects such as speech, mannerisms, and tradition that we must embrace rather than dismiss by censorship. It is a novel that has been praised and proclaimed America’s â€Å"first indigenous literary masterpiece† (Walter Dean Howells) as well as one that has been criticized and declared obscene. It has undergone much scorn and condemnation as a novel and many feel that it should be censored. This, however, is not the way it should be. Huckleberry Finn is a masterpiece and, as a matter of fact, it is one on many levels. The story itself, though†¦show more content†¦One of the reasons that Huckleberry Finn was banned in the past was because people found the dialect that Twain used unintelligible and shameful to the United States. These people thought that the manner of speech in which the novel was written would make Americans appear simple-minded. This may be the case with some, but the vernacular that the author used was the real dialect that majority of the population practiced in the time period that Huck existed. The novel is not meant to put America to shame, but rather to show the reality of how people spoke and acted in the mid nineteenth century. The vernacular is yet another aspect that makes the novel truthful because it gives readers a realistic view into the life of people from that time in American history. Huckleberry Finn is also lifted into great literary status by Twain’s compelling use of symbolism. An example of this symbolism is the Mississippi River. Throughout the novel, the river symbolizes life’s journey and, eventually, Huck’s natural integrity. It represents a place of ease and safety for both Huck and Jim. There is a major difference between their life on the river and their life on the land. On the river, life for Huck is peaceful and easy yet not without its dangers, whilst life on the land is most often cruel, demanding, and deceitful. Another example is how life on the raft is a paradox because, evenShow MoreRelated Banishment Censorship of Twains Huckleberry Finn Essay774 Words   |  4 PagesBanishment Censorship of Twains Huckleberry Finn Banishment? The novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, has received much criticism through the years. Yet Ernest Hemingway, among other great American writers, considers this work a great American classic. This novel addresses many social issues in the South before the Civil War, causing some critics to find it racist or degrading to the African American culture. For this reason, these critics often attempt to ban HuckleberryRead MoreLanguage in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Essay719 Words   |  3 PagesMark Twain’s classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is arguably the best piece of American Literature ever written. However, the excessive use of the ‘n-word’ has caused a dispute on whether the book should be censored to fit the demands of modern day readers who hope to make an edited version without the slur. The release of an edited version will reduce the message Twain is relaying to his audience. Twain’s choice of language allows the reader to travel back in time to the 1800’s andRead MoreHuckleberry Finn Too Offensive For School?880 Words   |  4 PagesHuckleberry Finn too Offensive for School? A widely debated topic concerning, Mark Twain’s classic Huckleberry Finn centers on its content which may or may not be too offensive to be allowed on public school reading lists. 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Throughout this novel Twain uses the term â€Å"nigger† because of this thereRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Samuel Langhorne Clemens1325 Words   |  6 PagesAlexis Timm Mrs. Mirosh 1st hour English 11 21 February 2017 To Read or Not To Read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel published by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name as Mark Twain, in 1884. The story is more than just a story however as many adults, parents, and educators believe that this book is unfit for a classroom setting. What they are unable or (unwilling) to see are the benefits of reading and analyzing this story. It allows students to understand historyRead More Censorship Should NOT be Placed on Books Essay1072 Words   |  5 PagesCensorship Should NOT be Placed on Books   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Censorship... a system under which official censors must give permission before communications of a specified type can lawfully be made (Wilgoren, 1). Recently censorship has become a major problem in our society. Censorship should not be banned on books. People should not be told they cannot read a book. Unfortunately history has shown that words can be used for ill as well as for good, to destroy lives as well as to enhance them? (SteffensRead MoreHuckleberry Finn Persuasive Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pagesmatter- ‘tis the difference between the lightning bug and lightning.†(Mark Twain). Mark Twain, the author of an extraordinary yet controversial novel; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn had a great way of capturing moments in time and bringing them to life through the use of meaningful and direct diction. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been a vexed novel for it s a use of the â€Å"N-word†. However, many scholars and associations have devised a â€Å"solution† for this problem such as, completely banningRead MoreEssay on Prejudice and Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn833 Words   |  4 PagesPrejudice and Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn      Ã‚   The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is an excellent example of racism in literature, because it uses language describing African Americans which goes beyond satire.   It treats them as objects and perpetuates stereotypes. It does not expose and deal with racism, as many advocates of its reading claim, but encourages an attitude of superiority that is unnecessary and intolerable. In order to ridRead MoreEssay about School Censorship is Detrimental to Education1519 Words   |  7 PagesSchool Censorship is Detrimental to Education       Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Maya Angelou. What do these writers have in common? Sure, they are all great American authors, but there is something else. They are all banned. Censored. Forbidden. Who has not read a book by at least one of these authors? All are great pieces of literature and should be crucial parts of the high school curriculum. School censorship of books is detrimental to the educational development of highRead MoreEssay on Censorship is Not the Answer983 Words   |  4 PagesCensorship is Not the Answer Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. - First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution This is true liberty when free born men, having to advise the public, may speak free. -Euripides, Fifth Century B.C. There is room for all of us - and our divergent view - under the First Amendment. - Spiro Agnew ... They have expelled Huck from their library as trash and suitable only for the slums. That will sell 25,000