The Day They Came to Arrest the Book

How would the novel have been different if Mike had supported Nora and Huckleberry Finn from the outset of the story?

Carl threatens to start a movement to unseat those on the school board who vote in favor of Huckleberry Finn. Does Carl’s outrage over the objectional material in Huckleberry Finn justify his demands? Why or why not?

Dickinson points out during his debate with Griswold that the Constitution clearly prohibits the establishment of any state religion. Does that mean religious teachings should be prohibited from public schools? What would be an indication that religions have made too great an impact upon public education? Upon government?

Reuben Forster, the school board chairman, wants to end the controversy surrounding Huckleberry Finn. Why, then, does he not pack the review committee with individuals in favor of the book? Why do you think he put together a committee with clashing viewpoints?

Though Forster understands the positions of everyone involved in the censorship dispute, he cares most about the way outsiders may view the community if the board bans Huckleberry Finn. How would Forster and others have proceeded differently if the debate had not drawn national attention?

In the final pages after the Huckleberry Finn dispute has been settled, Barney asks Kate if they are friends. She never answers the question. After the strong disagreements between them, would the relationship between Kate, Barney, and Luke ever be the same? What about the relationship between Barney and Gordon? Is it possible to stridently disagree over extremely important issues and still be close friends with those on the other side? Explain your answers.

Hentoff wrote The Day They Came to Arrest the Book in 1982, a period before the n-word fell largely out of use for mainstream media. Do you believe Hentoff would have used the n-word (or used it so pervasively) if he wrote the book today? How else do you think he might have approached the issue of Censorship Versus Free Speech today?

American History curricula, especially regarding the history of slavery and racial injustice in the United States, is often a highly controversial topic closely intertwined with political positions. What does the Huckleberry Finn controversy say about the political atmosphere at George Mason High School? What does it say about the politics within the community?