The Controversy Over Huckleberry Finn

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was written by Mark Twain, and was
published in 1885. Many people who have read the book love it, and some call it “The
Great American Novel.” But, there are just as many people who hate the book as there are
people who like the novel. Even though it is held in such high regard, it is the sixth most
banned book in the United States. It can be debated how much harm the novel does, but
there are people who go to great lengths to see it taken off library shelves, and out of
classrooms. The reasons why the book should be banned vary, but the goal of the people
against the book remains the same.
The number one reason why “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is banned is
because of the racism throughout the book. The constant use of the word “nigger”, and
the strong presence of slavery have thrown people into an uproar ever since it was
published. African Americans and others, led by the NAACP, began to challenge the
book in the 1950s, appalled by the novel's portrayal of the slave Jim and its repeated use
of the word "nigger." The book was removed from some schools in the New York City
school system, and its place on required reading lists was threatened in other cities. Some
people see Huck Finn as a racist, but this is not the case. He says the word “nigger”
because that was the term used to speak of African Americans in 1835. This does not
mean that the use of the word is acceptable by any means, but, Huck Finn was a child,
and he only did what he had grown up doing.
Religion is a key theme in the novel, but the sacrilegious views of Huck Finn are
one on the reasons why the book is banned. From the beginning of the book, Huck is
rejecting the religious views of Miss Watson and The Widow Douglas. “I didn’t care no
more about him (Moses); because I don’t take no stock in dead people.” is what Huck
thought abo...