"Huckleberry Finn: Reading Response"

          Throughout, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" written by Mark Twain, there were plenty of reasons that popped up in which could have contributed to why the book is banned. For example, things like language, violence and alcohol/alcoholics were some of those reasons. Some of these things got very intense at certain points and many people think that young children shouldn't be influenced by.

          The first and largest reason that the book is banned is language. In the book, many curses like nigger, bitch and more appear multiple times throughout the story. Huckleberry Finn uses the n word plenty, for it was normal to call African-Americans by it," ' You borry'd store tobacker and paid back nigger-head.' ". Another example is, "...and she doesn't bray like a jackass.". These types of sentences repeat many times and many parents don't want their children learning new kinds of curse words, especially dangerous ones, like nigger, they can start conflict. They can leave an impact on young readers, but children older than eleven or twelve should be able to read Huck Finn.

          The second reason is because of violence. In the book, Huck is abused and more violence is depicted as he is constantly on the move. Here is Huck's father directly from the text, threatening his own son, "...said he would rest a minute and then kill me. He put his knife under him, and said he would sleep and get strong..." another example of violence is when a drunk is shot in the street, because he didn't leave the town as he was ordered to, " 'O lord, don't shoot!' Bang! goes the first shot, and he staggers back, clawing at the air-bang! goes the second one, and he tumbles backwards onto the ground, heavy and solid, with his arms spread out." This isn't even the worst, fist-fights and dog fights take place in the book as well. These things also happen in real life, in the street and in certain areas, it can occur often. Sometimes, murders can even happen, though, less often. Since all these things take place presently, it shouldn't be introduced to a young mind in such a way. Yet another reason the book may be banned.

          The last reason, is alcohol/alcoholics. In the book, Huck's father is the main alcoholic, but as the plot progresses Huck encounters plenty more of them. Here's an example of other alcoholics that are encountered, "There was considerable whisky-drinking going on, an I seen three fights." not only is drinking present, but it also leads to fights. Here's an example of Huck's father, "He drank and drank...He groaned and moaned and thrashed around this way and that..." Huck's father keeps on this way through the whole book and completes many violent acts because of that alcohol. Plenty of people believe the topic of alcohol shouldn't even be discussed. However, many people - especially in New York City - are alcoholics like Huck's father. the sad thing is that it's hard to control it and it can lead to very negative things. So the book is aimed for older readers because of its dominance of alcohol.

          "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" shows plenty of points that lead to the banning of it, and children under the age of twelve shouldn't be able to read the book. On the other hand, it should be up to the reader to decide whether or not they want to be exposed to certain things and let themselves be influenced.