The purpose of this essay was to discuss the current debate over Mark Twains book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The debate is over whether or not the book is appropriate for students to read and learn about. The question is now being presented and petitioned upon the Board of Education by a group of parents and students in the Francis Howell school district.The group has many justifications for why Twains book should be removed from the curriculum and even the schools library. One reason was the many racial slurs used in the book to refer to Jim and all African Americans in general. An example of this in the book was Huck telling about how black people would all come to hear Jims witch story (Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Page 6). The slurs are used repeatedly and could easily have been done without. A second reason is the tobacco use of Huck Finn. The young character in the book is known for smoking his pipe. Some Parents fear this may encourage students to smoke. A third reason is Huck Finns bad lifestyle. Huck skips school, uses foul language, becomes involved in a gang, and he is known for being in lots of trouble (Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Chapter 2). Many parents think this may provoke students to try to live like Huck does. A fourth reason is the portrayal of Huck Finns father in the story. He is a bad father and an extreme alcoholic and he beat Huck(Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Page 24). Many parents think students may grow up thinking this negative behavior is acceptable parenting protocol. Speaking from a teenage perspective, these accusations seem unjust and unreasonable. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a great Novel and an instrumental teacher in American Literature. Twains book accurately depicts the more liberal time period of the day. The racial innuendoes used in the book are by no means acceptable. It is the belief of many that ...
