To Be or Not To Be (Taught)...

As many critics, educators, parents, and especially students have already proven, this book has become controversial study material in the classrooms of many high schools. But, despite the heated debates that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn brings up due to constant use of the n-word and ill-moraled behavior, I strongly believe that this inspiring adventure novel should be one required during high school. One mother, Kathy Monteiro, asked, "How do you expect students to read the n-word but not use it outside the classroom?" and that the reading wouldn't able students to "feel like a human being" in class. However, Mark Twain didn't put in many n-words intending to offend his readers. Instead, he was portraying everyday life as he knew it to be, be it one ugly reality. Also, students nowadays say and hear harsher words than the n-word. In the hallways, almost every other word is the b-word or "f" this and that. (pardon my broken French). If parents, educators, schools, and other challengers feel that Huck Finn is an inappropriate novel for students our age, they are completely mistaken because we aren't as naive as they assume us to be. Not only does the immorality not matter, but the lesson Huck learns throughout the story is also inspiring and can be a life lesson to all of us. As he and Jim, a major character in Huck's life, become the best of friends, offering to each other what they lack, Huck learns the complex character that Jim is. Through this, he learns what Jim can do in his life and learns to trust and respect him.