Why Is Huckleberry Finn Be Banned

“... and the book is still selling--more than 20 million copies worldwide to date--and still generating controversy, many scholars consider it a classic of American literature” (Bilyeu). Why would a novel that is a bestseller worldwide, be banned? In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, major controversy has immersed. This novel has been sparking controversy for over 100 years, with people arguing over the ideas discussed in the book. Many critics do not believe the story belongs in the classroom, because of its use of racial slurs and other argumentative topics. However, other critics believe it belongs for the life lessons, and morals found in the story. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a valuable novel and should

Some readers disagree with the teaching of this novel in public schools, and call the character Jim a negative stereotype. “In 1957, objecting to Twain's use of racial epithets and to the portrayal of Jim, who it said was a negative stereotype, the N.A.A.C.P. condemned the book as racist” (Bilyeu). Although some people see where they are coming from, others have to disagree with their statements. The character Jim is anything but a negative stereotype. Jim’s character breaks boundaries being intelligent, strong, and brave; however, some white characters are foolish and ill-advised. Not only is Jim crucial in this story, he even becomes a father figure for Huckleberry Finn. A reason critics opposed the book, is because they believe Mark Twain’s work makes racial tensions worse. “As recently as 1998, an Arizona parent sued her school district, claiming that making Twain’s novel required high school reading made already existing racial tensions even worse” (“Twain”). One may be able to see what this parent may be thinking, but some may have to disagree. If people do not discuss racial injustices that have occured, society will never overcome what has happened in the past. It is important to know what has occurred in history, so humanity does not repeat. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has not only been banned recently, but soon after its original release as well. This shows how this novel is not only notorious for being banned currently, but a century ago. “A month after its publication, a Concord, Massachusetts, library banned the book, calling its subject matter “tawdry” and its narrative voice “coarse” and “ignorant”... other libraries followed suit, beginning a controversy that continued long after Twain’s death in 1910” (“Twain”). This statement is preposterous, in more than one way. The narrative voice is portrayed by a young boy, Huckleberry Finn, of course he is not