Aaron Vaughn The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 2/06/09
Period 11
Should This Book Be Read In High School?
Why? Why Not?
I. Introduction
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be read in High Schools around the
country because it helps younger generations learn about how life was back in the 1800’s
and how far this country has come. The difference in the life styles of the white and
black cultures was very obvious before the Civil War. Today we call it racism but back
then it was just how it was. It should be realized that this happened very often and
because we cannot change it or ever forget it, we might as well make it a learning
experience by teaching students about it in school. Some students may find it demeaning
and degrading to read a book like this, but what is mentioned in the book is only what
truthfully went on in the 1800’s during the slavery period. Back then, this word wasn’t
considered rasist, it was just a commonly used word used when referring to African-
Americans. It should be realized that racism was a huge issue back then and it should not
be forgotten.
II. Main idea #1
Friendship—the bond between Jim and Huck is apparent right from the
beginning. Even though Jim was an African-American slave, Huck decides to be his
friend anyway. “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go an humble
myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I
didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’da knowed it would
make him feel that way.” At this point the the story, Huck is realizing that slaves are
human-being too and he should be treated like one. This tells a lot about Huck’s
character because it shows Huck thinking about other people’s feelings instead of just
going with what he was taught all of...