The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

One of the most beloved books in American literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is also one of the most challenged books. Today, the book is banned for its frequent use of the n-word and for its racist portrayal of black people. However, when the book was initially published, it was banned for its use of vernacular language, often considered too vulgar to be ‘real’ literature, and for Huck Finn’s decision to help Jim to escape from slavery. In common with the prevailing attitude of the time, Huck considers Jim to be the lawful property of the Widow Douglas. Through their adventures together, Huck starts to see Jim as a human being and questions the morality of what for the time should have been the clear course of action - to return the Widow’s stolen property to her. Instead, Huck decides that he would rather endure eternal damnation for stealing and helps Jim to escape. It is at the pivotal moment when Huck makes his decision that this volume is opened.

A version of this text has been digitized and is available through the Internet Archive.

Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/Record/256652