Referred to by many as the 'Great American Novel,' Huckleberry Finn has created a lasting impression - and as great (or more so) of a controversy since first being introduced in the late 1800's. The book has become notorious for its use - 219 times - of the 'n' word.
Along with the seemingly never-ending controversy, multiple film versions of the book, along with over 161 different editions of the novel, have helped to keep the character of Huckleberry Finn 'alive' in readers and viewers minds since 1884 - over 100 years ago.
While the novel itself can be found on high school and college reading lists across the country, the controversy surrounding the book and its teaching in public schools has not dwindled. While first censured for moral depravity, the shift in criticisms also show a changing world and views over the past 100 years. I would like to encourage everyone who encounters this page to take the time to read the entirety of Huck Finn before they make any definitive personal conclusions as to the content of the book. As Huck himself said, "That is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it.”
Along with the seemingly never-ending controversy, multiple film versions of the book, along with over 161 different editions of the novel, have helped to keep the character of Huckleberry Finn 'alive' in readers and viewers minds since 1884 - over 100 years ago.
While the novel itself can be found on high school and college reading lists across the country, the controversy surrounding the book and its teaching in public schools has not dwindled. While first censured for moral depravity, the shift in criticisms also show a changing world and views over the past 100 years. I would like to encourage everyone who encounters this page to take the time to read the entirety of Huck Finn before they make any definitive personal conclusions as to the content of the book. As Huck himself said, "That is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it.”