ing to ban it would often follow their own agendas, like Miss Watson in only trying to get their own view across and not allowing the novel to be interpreted for what it really is. Another main reason about the recognition of slavery and racism then comes up. Racism is an ever-present idea in our society. To ban the book would be to deny students the insight that Twain brings to the subject. Mark Twain brings a unique perspective to the readers through the character of Jim and how he reacts to his white neighbors. Jim, although he is shown to be a rational and mature person, bows down to white authority when he says lines like, "Jim couldn't see no sense in the most of it but he allowed, we was white folks and knew better than him" The perspective that Twain gives through the character of Jim is important because it takes the concepts of slavery and racism and gives them life. By making the concepts more realistic to people, Twain shows the subject for what it really is. I believe the removal of such literary works from the classroom would be a defeat on the war against racism. Racism is built on ignorance; therefore banning the book's insights would only enable that ignorance and be a victory for racism and not a loss. To consider banning this novel simply because it has situations and characters that are considered racist is superficial. The novel does show the relationships between blacks and whites in the nineteenth century. However, it shows these situations not to promote racism against blacks, but for the reader to better understand the subject. The character of Jim is shown to be caring and considerate towards Huck and more mature and human than the society allows him to be. Although he is shown to be this way, Twain shows the irony and hypocrisy of treating a mature man like simple property. The novel also shows how a boy, who is a product of this hypocritical society, comes to realize the true nature of his friend Jim and how ...
