Should The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn be required in school? Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is said to be one of the greatest American novels ever written and it is what all other pieces of American literature are based on. The novel has been debated for over a full century and will continue to be so for a long time to come. Nonetheless, Huckleberry Finn teaches young students and adults important life lessons. Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" should remain required reading in American literature courses because it enlightens students about the horrors of racism and slavery, familiarizes students with the South during the time period, and adequately portrays the powers of conformity . In the novel there are numerous examples of slavery and racism of African Americans during this time period. The use of what some might see as racial slurs in the novel is the vernacular of the average Southern person. While traveling down the river with Jim, Huck communicates, “I see it was no use wasting words because you can't learn to argue from a nigger. So I stopped” (80). This is a clear example of how Huck uses the word nigger in a non-derogatory way. Huck uses it like many use the word man. Many students and parents view this type of word in a demeaning and racist way. Many people get misled because of this word and don't understand what it really means. Although today the English language has transformed and changed to meet the needs of society, the word nigger has become a defamatory word used to talk Downley about an African American. In Huckleberry Finn's time, slaves like Jim didn't take offense to that word because that's what they called black slaves. Many believe that Jim is portrayed... middle of paper... have you ever heard of freeing a prisoner in such an old maid way?" (243). The fact that Huck is with Tom really affects how he looks at Jim who doesn't get it out when they could but follows the plan when they could have gotten it out much faster Ultimately, Mark Twain's ageless classic, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" should remain taught in schools lessons to teach and learn from reading and understanding Huckleberry Finn Although some sources may say that a child may pick up this book and think that it is OK to lie, OK to steal, and OK to be blasphemous, this is not the case (Culture Shock ). they will not be able to read and understand the book, they will be less disadvantaged than other students. Society should not ban a book from schools that allows students to learn about our ancestors just because it is offensive to some individuals.