Huckleberry Finn Censorship Essay

Oscar Wilde once said, “The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.” There are those who say any form of censorship violates a person’s freedom of speech. On the other hand, some say that censorship is necessary to maintain peace in society. For many years, numerous books have been banned based on the contents of what is inside. Many critics believe that censorship depletes artists from expressing themselves. Both sides make valid points, but who is right? The answer to this question can be found in literature such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. After reading a controversial novel, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I have determined that banning this novel from society

This is why censorship is discouraging society. Even though censorship is harmful to the advancement of society, there have been novels that society has deemed unfit. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, for example, has been banned ever since it was first published in 1885. Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn entails America’s most impactful period. Huckleberry Finn said, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n*****r; but I did it”(Pg 78). In this situation, Huckleberry Finn is referring to him apologizing to Jim, the runaway slave that he helped to escape for pulling a trick on him. He talks about how he doesn’t want to apologize to Jim because he doesn’t see them as equal, he knows he has to because of how upset Jim is. Huckleberry Finn represents a majority of society when this book takes place in the 50’s. During this time, many white people like Huckleberry don’t see their African American slaves as equal. Huckleberry has played a very cruel joke on Jim and his subconscious takes over what society thinks he should, which causes him to apologize to