Huck Finn is a novel that has been banned from many schools across the country. In this blog entry, pretend you are writing a letter to the editor of the
New York Times in which you support banning this book, or oppose banning the book. Make sure you include at least three valid educational points for teaching this novel.
If you need some support for your point of view, check some of the literary analysis of the novel. You can find tons of stuff online (please don't go to Sparknotes, though, that would just annoy me! = )
Looking forward to reading your point of view.....
Mrs. L
13 comments:
Dear Editor,
I, as a reader, oppose the banning of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in schools nationwide. This book teaches students the concept of racism, and how the issue was such a large part of society in the south during the time period. It allows students to experience opposition to society. Readers are able to see that Mark Twain, while writing this novel, was not for racism, and tried to show relay his message to his audience. The novel always hints at a sense of variety in friendships. For instance, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are complete opposites; Tom being a child who attends school regularly, yet has a wild side. Huck, on the other hand, disregarded everything from school to religion to manners, and yet, him and Tom were the best of friends. I feel that this is an important concept for high school students. Therefore, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be banned in school districts nationwide.
Dear Editor,
It is easily understood why one would ban a book such as The Adventures of Hucklebery Finn. The inappropriate language and the description of child abuse in this book is hard to handle and could have a negative impact on the readers of the book. However, the book teaches strong morals of right and wrong that the public should be able to learn about. Twain portrays through Huck and Jim the importance of racial equality. Huck helps Jim, despite his upbringings, because he realizes that Jim is a kind person who deserves his freedom. Huck learns that the color of his skin doesn't determine who he is a person. If he did, he wouldn't have helped Jim escape to a free state. The book also teaches readers how to be a good parent. Through Pap, Twain shows how not to be a parent and how Pap's failure at being a father negatively impacts his son. Finally, the book teaches readers about history. The inappropriate language is part of how white people would treat slaves at the time. Because history constantly repeats itself, it is important that our generation is taught about the past, especially the pre-civil war era that this story takes place in. If this generation learns about the social and moral mistakes of that time period, it is more likely not to make the same mistakes in the future.
Dear Editor,
As a reader I strongly oppose the idea of banning Huckleberry Finn from schools. This novel is not only an interesting read but reaches students about many important issues. One key issue Huck Finn talks about is the concept of racism. Twain enables readers to see a form of civil disobedience from Huck because he has a strong friendship with Jim, a black slave. As a reader you are able to see that Mark Twain was antislavery and how you can see that Twain is trying to inform his readers that slavery is something that is merely useless and should be done away with. You can see how Huck discovers that the color of someone's skin is meaningless and that Jim is a normal person like himself who deserves the right to be free. Huckleberry Finn also discusses the concept of money. Huck himself starts out with six thousand dollars to his name but could careless about that fact. He finds money a luxury rather than a necessity showing that people can find ways to survive and enjoy life without money interfering. By doing so readers are able to learn that money isn't everything. Thirdly, Huckleberry Finn shows the importance of good friendship. Tom Sawyer brings out Huck's more adventurous side while Jim brings out Huck's good nature. Huck and Tom are complete opposites and Jim is someone Huck should not be friends with due to the society they live in. In both cases the reader is able to see the value of friendship and the importance of having friends who you can rely on. Based on these three topics, Huckleberry Finn should not be banned from schools nationwide because it teaches so many important things.
-Colleen
Dear Editor,
As a young reader of the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I oppose the banning of this book in many schools nation wide. This book teaches many life lessions that are important in society. Also it gives insight on racism and how poorly blacsk were treated int he south not to long ago and even today. It teaches a reader soem history while entertaing them with a story that makes the reader think and expand his/ her mind. This book also teaches people good morals which are shown through Huck's actions. Overall Huckleberry Finn should be taught in all schools.
Hmm... we have some very liberal students!!!
Mrs. L
Dear Editor,
As a reader, I oppose the banning of Huckleberry Finn in schools across the nation. I believe that not only the students but the societies who engage in reading this novel will learn many life lessons. Mark Twain educates the students with many different events that took place during this time of age. The racism against blacks, how southern society effected society around them, opposing views of certain situations, and the growth of ones friendship are expressed by Mark Twain through the life of the characters. It also shows family relations, such as Pap and Huck's relationship. Therefore Huckleberry Finn should be used in all schools across the nation for not only educational purposes, but also to be taught life lessons.
Dear Editor,
I believe that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be banned in schools. The book does use derogatory remarks but that does not mean it should be banned. This is a high school level book and if kids are going to read this book and use such words than they should not be in high school in the first place. The book teaches people about what society was like in a time where racism and slavery went hand in hand. This book might not be the most interesting novel but it does give a perspective of a "rebel" in the sense that Huck did not reform to the society in which he lived in. Schools that ban books like Huck Finn are the same schools than ban Harry Potter because it promotes witchcraft.
Dear Editor,
I, a person who has read the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, oppose the banning of the novel. I feel that it teaches its readers the divisions in society during that time period. It shows how we have come such a long way, yet we still have work to do concerning racism and stereotypes. This novel also shows how even though something might not be right to do at the time, you should still do it if you think its right. Like when Huck helps Jim escape. It shows how the manipulation of the society you live in affects what you think is right. Twain portrays that you should do what you feel is right through the character of Huck. Lastly, it shows the meaning of real friendship. Jim and Huck came from completely different worlds and races, yet they still manage to have a great friendship. This is very helpful to highschool students. Because of these three lessons, the novel should not be banned.
Dear Editor,
I believe that the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, should not be banned in schools. Although it uses derogatory terms, it is very educational to the readers. Through the book, you are able to learn about the American society during the pre-civil war period. It teaches you the concept of how the country was divided over slavery. Huck and Jim wanted to escape to Cairo, Illinois(the North) because that is where Jim could be a free black man, and Huck could start a new life. The book explains how slavery was a common practice in the south, and that slaves were treated as the white man's property. The book shows past American history, and how there were white and blacks who worked together and were companions. Readers should learn about this history, because it is their country's past. Also the friendship between Huck and Jim, teaches people to not judge people based on skin color, race, gender, or religion, but to treat all equally. Huck learns this idea of equality as he develops through the book.
Dear Editor,
As a reader of the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, i feel that banning this novel from schools is a huge mistake. The book talks about many important concepts such as racism and the influence society can have on a person. Although Huck might not have been formally educated, he has street smarts which are just as valuable because they help him survive on his own. Twain also utilizes Huck to show how slavery is wrong and that southern society forces many strict rules and by not following them you are an outcast. Huck and Jim are such good companions because they are both outcasts from society. Although there is some bad language in the novel, it is important in showing the viewpoints of southerners at this time period. We have learned that African Americans have been called various derogatory names in history class so what difference should it make to read it in a novel? By banning the book and keeping history textbooks the way the are now, there is a double standard formed which makes the school look hypocritical. Therefore, the novel should not be banned in schools in order to teach kids many important life lessons.
-Marcella
Thank goodness for snow days...otherwise people may not have had the time to blog!! : )
Hope you're enjoying the white stuff! Don't forget that we have our test on Huck on Monday. Review your study guides!
Dear Editor,
The book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a completely acceptable book. It does show discriminating viewpoints or stereotypes, especially with Jim's superstition and gullibility, but it is simply a piece of literature that reflects the time period. The book itself is written in a way that is different from the way books are written today but that itself makes the book more valuable for education. All children in the United States should have to read this book because it shows the wrongs of racism, education, and war. The book gives a graphic example of humanity and is deemed to be profanity instead of respectable literature.
Dear Editor,
As a reader, I do not support banning the classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in schools across the nation. Within the context of the book, there are hidden morals and values that display Mark Twain's point of view of society. This novel allows readers to understand the racist society in the South during the Pre-Civil War era. Rather than learning about the Southern society in text books, students can read about how poorly African Americans were treated, while still being amused by the fictitious plot. Although derogatory terms had been used by Mark Twain in the novel, I don't believe he intended to cause the increase in use of these words in schools nationwide. Instead, I believe he included these words to add more of a realistic tone to the novel and teach students how hurtful the people of this time period could be. Its important to keep this novel in schools because it proves that people, like the characters Jim and Huck, were able to get passed the racism in society and maintain a strong friendship. In my opinion, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn had a positive influence over students and should not be banned from the curriculum of schools across the country.
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