Twain explores these ideas as Huck deals with issues of right and wrong and wrestles his conscience several times over helping Jim escape in the book. As Hamlin Hill explains in the
Dictionary of Literary Biography, "Huckleberry Finn explores whether any human being can transcend his society, violate his training, achieve independence from external pressure and judgment."
Twain also uses Huckleberry Finn to explore issues of slavery and race relations. The novel as a whole has been interpreted as an attack on racism, something supported by Twain's own opinions on the subject. Huck comes to see that though Jim is black and a slave, he is also a person and loyal friend who repeatedly protects Huck. While many critics have praised his take on racism, a significant number have taken issue with what they consider to be Twain's stereotypical depiction of Jim. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been seen as racist because the word "nigger" is used more than 200 times. This racial content is one of the primary reasons why the book has been banned from certain schools and libraries. Despite such controversies, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remains among the most important and beloved American novels.
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