HUCKLEBERRY FINNS NEGATIVE POTENTIAL
HUCKLEBERRY FINN’S NEGATIVE POTENTIALHuckleberry Finn’s Negative Potential
Although I disagree with the censorship of the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, I can note various reasons why administrators across the country proclaimed it a bad influence and took it off of their reading lists. Because the main character of the book, Huckleberry Finn, frequently participates in actions that are considered unacceptable for teaching to most of today’s society, school officials may think that this behavior will negatively influence their students. Huck talks about robbery and murder as if it were a normal act, does not pay consequences for his wrong doings, and continuously uses inappropriate language. I believe that these aspects of the book can be a bad influence to its younger audience.
In chapter 2, Huck and his friends sneak out late at night and meet secretly in order to form what they like to call “Tom Sawyers Gang”. At this meeting the boys not only hurt themselves in order to be in the gang, but they also put others lives in danger. It is also the purpose of the gang that plays a strong role in its negative example towards the young reader. This group’s sole adventure is found in committing the crimes of robbery and murder. From this
situation, any reader can assume that gangs are very important, good, and fun, and that there is no wrong in committing certain offenses as long as they are done in a group and know one knows about it. Readers might also feel pressure to commit these crimes in order to satisfy their friends because although Huck disagrees with the actions at first, he later conforms to them because of the peer pressure.
Huck engages in various immoral or unlawful acts throughout the novel. Acts such as lying, and stealing are seen many times in the story. Not only are these acts in themselves a bad influence but the fact that Huck is never punished for them is probably considered even worse. No parent or school official would want their child or student to believe that he or she would not have to pay the consequences for bad decisions and actions. The fact that Huck gets away with doing these things suggests that they too could possibly do the same and not have to pay consequences. It also suggests that these actions are not wrong because Huck is not punished for them.
Although the book was written to prove a point about the racial tensions in America prior to the civil war, the use of the word “nigger” may also be included as a bad influence. The word is used 213 times throughout the story. Although it is not intended to be used as a racial slur, Huck’s overuse of the word might prompt students to become accustomed to its use and include it in their own vocabulary. It’s overuse might also remove the seriousness of the word and how offensive it really is.
Therefore, Huck’s behavior as he talks about robbery and murder as if it were a normal act, does not pay consequences for his wrong doings, and continuously uses inappropriate language throughout the novel has the potential of negatively influencing its younger audience.