Huck Finn

3 Pages 670 Words

‘Should High School Students Read It?’

‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ is a classic novel ad should definitely be read by high school students. The fact that the novel includes racism and vulgarity makes the book even more interesting. The racism wouldn‘t offend anyone assuming that they are educated, that they know that it was purposely written that way, and that times have changed since the setting of the story took place. Themes and Twain’s view of society also add to the great appraisal that I give this book for high school students.
The one part of the book I don’t agree with is the authors view of American society. When high-class people are described in the book, they are seen as proper, educated, well-mannered, charitable, frugal, well-invested people, yet they are cruel, racist, cussing, gambling, alcoholic, violent people that want everything for themselves. Such is the example of the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons. I believe that this view is skewed and somewhat of a development from Mark Twain’s personal childhood memories. I do admit that some people I know do have some of these traits, but not to such an extreme level, most people are well-rounded, they have their goods and bads. There are four main themes to the book, and they all tie together to help form the plot of the book. Here’s my understanding of it: Huck and Jim both want freedom from certain things; while searching for freedom, Huck and Jim must battle loneliness together; and Huck experiences rebirth, (he becomes a new, pure person), as he makes his individual vs. society battle, which is always having to decide between the right, moral, human, logical, pure decision, and the merciless decision that abides with society. There was no easy way to say all of that, which is another reason to read the book as a high school student. The book is a deep, twisting, beast-of-a-novel, and yet, it is humorous, interesting, and under...