Why Should Huck Finn Not Be Banned In Schools

The novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, should not be banned in schools. This novel, written by Mark Twain, is a very controversial novel. It contains many things that may be uncomfortable or that could possibly offend other people, like the way the “n” word is being used so frequently and the way the slaves, such as Jim, are being treated. But, Mark Twain wrote this novel for a reason. He wanted to show the readers how slavery was in general. This is a part of our American history and as we learn about it, it shouldn’t be censored. This novel does a great job in clearly showing how inhumane people were back then and how they might still act today. The way society is portrayed also gives people a perspective of how they were back then,

“...I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so” (Twain 155). “...when they told me there was a state in this country where they’d let that “n” vote, I drawed out. I says I’ll never vote ag’in…I says to the people, why ain’t this “n” put up at auction and sold?” (Twain 27). These two quotes are great examples of how “n” was used constantly back then and how slaves or colored people were looked down upon by others. Huck didn’t expect Jim to care so much about his family like white folks do, so it surprises him. Many people back then didn’t think that colored people had feelings and that’s why they were so cruel to them and always said harsh things to them. Pap didn’t even want the colored people to be voting and when he found out that they let them vote in other states, he decided to never vote again. He even asked why they weren’t just put up in an auction and sold. That really showed us a perspective of how people acted with the colored people, how they dehumanized them, and how they looked down upon them. It makes us realize just how bad it was and how bad it could still get if we act the same way now. So, Mark Twain’s message about slavery is a really important thing to hold on