Mark Twain nee Samuel Clemens is a genius.
Of all the things to ban a book for, this one is mostly challenged because, as it states here, of the N-word. They even say the phrase “N-word” in the document, which makes me want to claim that word once again because I’m not one to be afraid of words.
They don’t like it because they say “nigger”. There. I said it. After I said it, I wrote it.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is still required reading in most high schools despite the fact that it continues to be challenged. To my knowledge, no one has ever successfully banned it in my district and I have yet to hear about a fight breaking out in Senior Lit. because someone’s senses were so offended by reading about Jim and Huck floating down the Mississippi.
Earlier this week I mentioned the fact that Scout, the narrator from To Kill a Mockingbird, is my favorite character who epitomizes simplicity and complexity all in one. The only reason she is a notch above Huck is because of their vast differences in the realm of experience. He is much more experienced than she because of his jaded, painful past in dealing with an alcoholic father. However, his difficult past doesn’t make him morally relative. Perhaps, then, he is to be lauded for making some good choices despite having a difficult childhood.
Maybe with the exception of the sacrifices Jean Valjean gives in to in Les Miserables, I believe Huck to be the most propitiatory character in fictional history. He has been told from his earliest learnings that helping a slave is a sin in the eyes of God and that the punishment for such a deed warrants an eternity in hell. Even while he wrestles with this fate and wavers between turning Jim in and allowing him his newfound freedom, Huck makes the only decision he feels he can: he decides to save Jim’s life.
When he does this and makes his decision verbal with the line, “All right, then, I’ll go to hell” it is the most significant choice he, as a young boy, can make.
It is this decision that makes me love Huck. Makes me see what his heart is truly made of. And it gives me hope that he will be ok in life if he can choose hell over allowing a human being to live in bondage on this earth.
How About You?
What are your favorite banned books? What authors are on your Must Read list that have left a mark on you as a reader? I’ve rambled on for nearly a week about this and want to hear what books I need to add to my list.
Thanks for letting me share.
September 29, 2006 @ 5:58 am | Filed under Books I Love | Permalink |
VENTL8R Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 6:39 am
Am I first today?
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Entire HP Series
I remember reading Lord of the Flies in HS, A Wrinkle in Time in late elementary (5th-ish), Forever from Judy Blume (boy, were those some interesting feelings).
But I’m surprised there weren’t any Beat writers on the Banned list. Their books were full of drugs and sex. Case in point, read Diane DiPrima’s “Memoirs of a Beatnik.” It is listed as erotica. Boy, was it ever. My BF at the time would request I read passages and then……well, you get the idea. *ahem*
Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg (very gay), William Burroughs, Neal Cassidy, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Micheal McClure (I did a report on him), Amiri Baraka, even Bob Dylan.
The Beat Generation was probably one of the best classes I took in college when I was in Naperville, IL. Such the ecclectic grouping of students, too. I was probably the “most normal” of the group, but once I got over my sterotypes of how they looked, they were the greatest, most imaginative group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Gillian Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 7:33 am
Your wonderful posts have inspired me to post about some of my favourite books, and my friends are all jumping on the wagon too. Thanks for the brilliant idea!
Dana Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 8:53 am
Lord of the Flies was another book that I liked that is challenged. I could write a post about it. I just might do that.
Another great post, Mocha!
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 9:42 am
You have done a FABulous job this week, Kelly! Many thanks for coming up with this idea, both from me and MCL. We’ll have to get to working on your honorary librarian membership.
Favorite banned books: the Harry Potter series (of course); In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak; The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton; Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes; A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (mentioned this one on my own blog); Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume; Lord of the Flies by William Golding (read it in one day, which is rare since I’m a VERY slow reader, on the day it was assigned); The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; 1984 by George Orwell; Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison; All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren…
And one other, a children’s book that I have not listed because I still have hopes of writing this week about it and it’s connections (in theme, at least) to Orwell’s “1984.” I tried to get folks to guess the title on my blog, but nobody took me up on it (*grumble, sulk, pout*).
There are also books on the list that I can’t stand, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn being one of them. I agree with your assessment of the story and Mark Twain’s genus, but as a child Huck always annoyed me as a character and narrator. I got very impatient with him and was much less willing than you to cut him slack based on how he was raised; I suspect that has something to do with my being a Southerner, but that’s a discussion for another time. I also suspect that I would get much more out of the book if I read it now.
Two other of my least favorite books are also on the list: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (the bane of my high school existence) and The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer (the only book that I can honestly say I hated when I read it - I mean full out fury). Not that I would want to ban either these two books or Huck - I think literature works best when it evokes strong reaction (either positive or negative) and besides, I love to argue about…*ahem*…”discuss” books. Why would I ever give up that challenge by asking to have a book I dislike banned? *grin*
Juli Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 12:09 pm
Kel, ditto on all the sentiments of the fabulous job you’ve done in your weeklong book report. You are such a teacher. You have moved me to want to read each of those (shamingly admitting I’ve never read any of these). I too am a slow reader but I managed to love my way through John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, the Bronte girls’ Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights, and Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility. Of course Harry, Hermione and Ron also top my list. I know I have others, but cannot remember at the moment. I do remember I hated Ken kesey’s book. You are making me thing too hard at the moment. It is late on Friday and I need a marguerita. Fiesta Fridays remember?
Kim Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
I love the Harry Potter series and enjoyed Huck Finn. I have read “1984″ & “The Invisible Man” and I am sure that there are many others, since I am avid reader and enjoy a lot of the classics. I don’t agree with the banning of Huck Fin, but can understand Harry Potter.
Steve Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
You’ve had quite an interesting week of posts, Kelly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on some great books. There are so many themes you’ve touched on that it’s impossible to do justice to them in a comment section. Instead, here are a few brief and randomly scattered responses.
I can’t conceive of any grounds for wanting “To Kill a Mockingbird” taken off the shelves. In a way, anyone who would make that argument is not much of a straw man to knock down. That being said, thank you for doing so anyway.
It’s potentially more interesting to debate where the line should be drawn between freedom for kids to read anything they want and protection from material that is truly damaging. I’m somewhat of a libertarian, but also can see how a school district would want to protect against hard-core pornography or homicidal, racist manifestos. Then it comes down to shades of gray – reasonable people will draw lines in different places. Madonna’s “Sex” and Howard Stern’s “Private Parts” (ugh, I don’t like the way that sounds) may be art to some, but not to others.
Funny how certain sensitive words, n- and f- come to mind, carry so much weight independent of context. Fornicate could have been put in that same f- camp but it’s not used in the same way. So vulgar and degrading intentions play into meanings, but those intentions are not always easy to discern. Not everyone has the same baggage in mind when they use certain words, especially characters from different eras. You did a good job of interpreting Huck with that in mind, I thought.
RW Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 3:04 pm
I would say that if anyone still wants to challenge Huck, all they need do is take a look at Ken Burns’ bioflick of Mark Twain and listen to what a civil rights hero and humanitarian by the name of Dick Gregory thinks about the book.
That book forces us to look at our attitudes toward race square in the eye. Gregory praises it for forcing people to see that Jim is a human being. It marks the FIRST TIME in American literature that the feelings of a black man are observed directly, as if he were a HUMAN BEING. Imagine that!
Three cheers for you for seeing that one line, Kelly. That’s exactly the line they focused on in that film.
You should go rent it! You and Dick Gregory - now THAT will put some people back in their seats!
RW Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
Oh - I am a big fan of Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz. He just recently died, unknown to many of his Egyptian countrymen because he was a secularist in a Muslim world - but I cannot imagine world literature without The Journey of Ibn Fattouma or The Beggar.
Tom Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 3:49 pm
I’ll have to admit my reading is pretty light weight. I have not read much from the Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century, what I did read was just OK. The one book that really did get a reaction out of me was The Jungle. I HATED IT! What a depressing story. I can deal with a depressing story, but Sinclair’s political message at the end was just flat out dumb.
I like “some” Stephen King, usually the tamer stuff, I’m surprised “The Dead Zone” was on the list. I really liked that book.
Betsy Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 4:44 pm
-The HP series (of course)
-Bridge to Terebithia (this one surprised me)
-The Outsiders
-To Kill a Mockingbird
-The Giver
-A Day No Pigs Would Die (I weep every time)
-Anything by Judy Blume
Huck Finn? Not a huge fan, much like CL. Get the importance and incredible prose of Twain, but just don’t really like it. Maybe I need to read it again, tho. Hmmmmmm.
Jennifer Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 5:55 pm
Oh Kelly. You have truley touched me with this post.
Thank you.
Someday I will let you know how. But for now know that you are a much needed voice in the world.
Thank you again my blogging friend!
Jennifer
fizzle Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 6:43 pm
Have enjoyed reading your reviews this week. Learned? Mocha’s a voracious reader. Mocha remembers books much more accurately than Fizzle. Mocha needs to move to big cities to sip wine and talk books and go shopping…
Mrs RW Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 7:04 pm
Farenheit 451 moved me on a gut level because I don’t know what I would do if the only way to preserve a story in a bookless world would be to become a “living book”. My life has been changed and influenced by so many books it would be agony to choose just which one to save. Would I save a personal favorite or one that could influence others? One seen as “important” or “Goodnight, Moon”? Thank you, Kelly, for reminding us that we should cherish our freedom to choose.
Mrs RW Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
PS: Since you began with Mark Twain, I highly recommend “Innocents Abroad”. One of those crisp observations of humanity that will have you laughing out loud!
katy Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
I’ve been remiss in not visiting, so here I am with WAY too many comments.
1. I like rap music. and country. You’d think these things would be at odds with one another, but they are not. I like what I like and that’s it.
2. Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret was my savior in adolescence. I could not have survived my first period without that book. I cannot fathom that it would be banned.
3. You should read the novel (adolescent?) Feed. A fabulous dystopian novel that uses language in an amazing way.
KM
Neil Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 8:03 pm
You are so right about Huck Finn, which is one of favorite books. Sure, he may say some things that are politically incorrect now, but he sure was way ahead of his time in actually treating Jim as a person.
chris Said,
September 29, 2006 @ 8:41 pm
I’d have to go look at the banned book list to see which of my favorites is on it. But one of the things that I have really been enjoying this past year or so is rediscovering books that I loved an older kid with my own kids.
I love reading them and remembering what I thought and felt at that age, which I imagine is similar to what my own children are feeling now. And discovering how my feelings about the books have changed.
Jeannie Said,
October 1, 2006 @ 10:33 am
I love reading your entries. I’d be thrilled if you’d stop by for a visit!
Natalie Said,
October 1, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
Oh, darn it! I missed you today. I was out galavanting in the sunshine. Went to church… little one was picked to make a presentation and he became tongue-tied. It was too cute. Then had lunch at Red Lobster… complete with a Bahama Mama. If I’m goin’ to hell I might as well enjoy myself. Then came back home and flung my fat and alcohol (I am such a cheap date; it only takes one) ladened body onto fresh, clean, cool sheets and just… layed around for a while. Ah… what a life.
I’m sorry to hear you are sick. Bah. I had it last month and I still have a tiny, lingering rasp to my voice. S likes it. Maybe I’ll take up smoking cigars and keep it… just for her.
My all time favorite banned book is “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It is also one of my all-time favorite movies.
There are some books that I’ve, at one time, considered banning… they are so gross… like Jock Sturgess or David Hamilton… yucko… however… this is the US of A and well, I just choose to miss-file them if I see them on bookstore shelves. I did that for ten years… while working for B&N. Muahahahaha! I didn’t really censor so much as misplace. Besides, I either had some creepo trying to buy it or some christian trying to bean me over the head with it for even having it on the shelves. Those books were a hazard.
Take care of yourself… it was nice to see a comment from you.
Natalie
Wondering Rahab Said,
October 2, 2006 @ 6:43 am
Ok, so I’m a lurker. I think I left a comment about 6 months ago, but I have stayed silent since. I do read almost daily and I had to share my trip to check out some new books Saturday. I keep a list of books I want to read and I added “The Giver” and “Song of Soloman” right to the top. Imagine my surprise when both of them were completely checked out. I did check out “As I Lay Dying” which I am already several chapters in. Thank you for the recommendations. I did a report on “Beloved” in college and have never forgotten the impact it had on me. I have placed a hold on both books and am looking forward to reading them.
WR
Elizabeth Said,
October 3, 2006 @ 8:19 pm
I’ll have you know that my husband provided me his copy of To Kill A Mockingbird and I’m reading it now. Ok, so not NOW, but you get the idea.
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve only just finished the 1st chapter (better than nothing, right?) but there was one paragraph that made me catch my breath. Harper Lee did a bang up job on this description:
“The Radley Place fascinated Dill. In spite of our warnings and explanations it drew him as the moon draws water, but drew him no nearer than the light-pole on the corner, as safe distance from the Radley gate. There he would stand, his arm around the fat pole, staring and wondering.”
How I wish I could convey such depth and simplicity in one fell swoop. Wow.