The first major reason why Mark Twain's classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should remain available to students and others in public libraries is the fact that it remains a brilliant portrait of a time and a place that most readers then, and none today for obvious reasons, can experience for themselves. Twain's story, published in 1884, provides a depiction of life on the Mississippi River as it existed during the pre-Civil War era, when slavery was still an institution. In that sense, it remains an important examination of that period of time--a time Twain knew from first-hand observations, having lived as a child on the Mississippi, and being, in every sense, a true "son of the South." The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is controversial today for its depiction of the character of Jim, the runaway slave who Huck befriends and who shares the experiences described throughout the novel. Twain's narrative makes liberal use of what is known today as "the n-word," a particularly odious reference to African Americans that was common then, but is banned for the most part today, although still widely used. Jim, however, is a kind, thoughtful human being and a good friend to Huck. The use of "the n-word" was a product of the times in which the story takes place and in which it was written. That was the American South. The following exchange illustrates the perspective common at the time:
“Good gracious! anybody hurt?”
“No’m. Killed a n*gger.”
“Well, it’s lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt.
Black people, in short, were seen as less-than-human. They were treated like farm equipment, because that is how they were viewed. "People," in the context of the story, and in the passage above, is defined as "white."
A second reason to retain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in libraries is that it is a very enjoyable yarn, one that most young readers discover was worth the minimal effort it required to read. While there are hundreds of "young adult" novels available, Twain's story provides--and this returns to reason number one above--a historical perspective along with a depiction of humanity in both positive and negative terms. By combining its eminent readability with the historical insights it provides, Huckleberry Finn retains its value as a work of literature that deserves to continue to be widely read. The pejorative use of the aforementioned "n-word" is both ugly and illuminative. African Americans, sadly, were seen as an inferior species, one to be exploited and abused. By viewing the use of this word in its proper context, students will learn a lot about this country's history of racism.
Finally, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be retained in libraries because it depicts the close, loving relationship between a black man and a white boy. Twain's novel humanized a human being who would otherwise be viewed as mere chattel to readers of the time. As noted, Jim is the novel's most enduring figure, a kindhearted friend to a young boy who has run away from home for reasons that an escaped slave could only dream about using as an excuse for fleeing. The bond that develops between the two characters was deplorable in the eyes of the racist populations of the time, and Twain's depiction of this relationship was a slap in the face to those readers. That a black man would be the most decent of the story's characters was revolutionary, and critics of the novel should make a greater attempt at recognizing the value of this book to current generations. Racial divisions remain an enormous problem all around the world, including in the United States. High school students who read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will see a side of humanity that may benefit them down the road.
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