Why is "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" on so many "banned book" lists?

Question

School boards are so afraid of someone being offended. Yes, I know that the word "n*gger" is used repeatedly by Huck in reference to the slave Jim. Well, duh! Considering the time and place the book was set in, is he really going to refer to him as "African-American"?

And all the talk about Samuel Clemens (pen name - Mark Twain) being a racist; in fact, Clemens was a staunch abolitionist (that is, wanting to do away with slavery, for those of you who don't pay attention during your history class). The book was written in first person from Huck's point of view using Huck's persona, NOT that of Mr. Clemens.

The school library will keep copies of Seventeen (with articles on "should I sleep with my boyfriend?" and "the positives of masturbation"), but they refuse to keep this American classic on the shelves.

What's wrong with this picture?

Answer 1

Yep! Welcome to American Public Education.

The largest problem is busy-body mommy who stalks the teacher one afternoon after class and corners him/her about the books, "You're making my little Jimmy read!" Honestly, busy-body mommy hasn't read the book in it's entirety and therefore has no idea what the heck it's actually about. The easiest way to disarm them? Give them the book and ask them to read it cover to cover and then return to see you (teacher) if you have any problems or concerns. Usually, busy-body mommy is never heard from again. But, if she does return, that is when you must full out a "controversial book" form and fork it over to the school board. From there, it's in their hands.

I know what you mean about the Seventeen articles and the like. What's so sad is that young girls are targeted like that from a young age. Take a look at the Scholastic Book Fair order forms, for example. What is in the girl's section- so obviously set off by pink and purple typeface? Usually, "What's your gossip style?!" and similarly degrading titles. And in the boys? CSI Science kits, American Classics, etc. Do we see a problem here? The largest one is the fact that the girls are usually too embarassed to purchase something from the boy's section, even if it is of interest to them. They get peer pressured into buying the silly little book that has lip gloss or a bracelet and no literary value.

Critical literacy for everyday texts is very important in today's society. Everything out there is presenting the ideas or view point of someone. Everything. And for women, it's typically not good. Not good at all. It is more important that we allow ourselves to be objectified and made stereotypical than to be ourselves. When it's more important to be pretty and thin than bright and interesting, we know we're in dire straights.


EDIT to an above poster- About, "Little Red Riding Hood,"... you do realize the story of Little Red Riding Hood is about rape, correct?

Answer 2

It is a great book and essential reading in my opinion. The portrayal of Jim is most often the argument used by banning proponents. The way that Jim is portrayed in the book is very stereotypical... By teaching the book in schools, some have argued that it is a reinforcement of racist stereotypes. This goes beyond just the use of the 'N' word... You could link something like Fuzzy Zoeller's statements about Tiger Woods wanting chitlins and watermelon served at a golfing championship dinner to the stereotypes perpetrated by authors such as Twain... While I understand the banning side of the debate, I feel that it is better to just point it out for what it is and include it as an overall aspect of the work.

Answer 3

Those who can-do. Those who can't-teach. Those who are really stupid-join the school board.
The world of PC has ruined many things in this country including the reputation of this great book. The word is used in the book to show that Huck learns from the way it hurts Jim. Instead of using that as a lesson to our youth it gets banned. And instead we let them listen to gansta rap that uses those type of words, and worse, all the time.

Answer 4

My son actually just got done with a unit on Huckleberry Finn for his Junior year English class so there is still hope for America!

Answer 5

They go crazy with banning books... a version of Little Red Riding Hood was banned (I forget where) because she was carrying a bottle to grandma's house that resembled a wine bottle.... seriously.