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Should Huck Finn Not Be Banned

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Society is not always right. It is a dishonorable legacy of intolerance. It is important to discuss these topics so that the same injustices do not plague the future generations. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, despite the demeaning depictions of African Americans, the novel should not be banned from modern day high schools. It would not only be illegal to ban Huck Finn from being read by high schoolers, it would also be a disservice given the novel’s theme and historical relevance. It is a constitutional right that free speech may not be silenced in any from it comes in. Twains novel does not shy away from political satire, outright stating, “persons attempting to find motives [moral, or plot] in this narrative will be prosecuted… banished… [Or] shot (Twain2). In his time Mark Twain was a famous satirist, so his words should be taken lightly. Twain offers …show more content…

At no point, does Twain pretend like the tragedies of slavery did not exist, so neither should society today. Jim did not have an easy life as a slave, Twain made sure to point this out and pointed how some immoral people had it easy. Through the eyes of Huck Finn, Twain ensures that Huck and Jim understand inequality so that they prevent it – not embrace it. The literary masterpiece that is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn must be allowed as a symbol of the best humanity has to offer it. It is more than a matter of who is or is not offended. The debate of whether Huck Finn should be banned from high schools is a matter of teaching future generations what is right and what is wrong. Few people will read Huck Finn on their own for the fun of it – especially high school students. It is paramount that these students be taught the history of injustice and hate through responsible teachers. After all, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat

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