You may have heard that a new edition of the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is being released, removing all uses of the “n-word.” The reasoning is that people no longer teach because they do not want the word being used in schools.
I have actually taught the book, and honestly I feel it is over-rated (people talk about it being such a revolutionary portrayal of a white boy and a slave, but it was written like ten years after slavery was abolished). Plus it’s only the first 16 chapters that are any good.
But that’s besides the point. I feel removing the word really is unnecessary and inappropriate. You are zapping the book of its authenticity, and therefore its value. When I taught it, we often discussed the use of the word, but I never required students to say it if they did not want to. But I taught at a pretty tame, suburban private school. I can imagine that in other environments the books use of the n-word could lead to abuse. So I can understand the hesitation toward teaching it. I just don’t think there’s value in teaching a censored and altered version of the story.
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You are zapping the book of its authenticity, and therefore its value.
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That about sums it up. Twain's characters speak as the people then spoke, if anything his representation is a heck of a lot cleaner. One reason it was so easy to treat some human beings as sub human was the language used in reference to those human beings. This is an important talking point, and removing it from the book wipes away that entire thread of study.
It's true. I don't really get what's motivating this. I honestly think if it's not taught in schools, it's not a big deal. Better than teaching something that has been sterilized.
If I'm remembering correctly the Professor behind it said it was to ensure the book kept getting read in schools, otherwise it was likely to disappear from the curriculum. As to why it should continue to be taught, I suppose because it is valid in terms of historical context and social commentary. It provides a voice for a time and a situation (i.e. slavery) that possibly lacks enough voice. There was Uncle Tom's Cabin, but I think that was earlier and then there was Go Tell It On The Mountain, but that was much later. No doubt there are other books that were contemporary to Twain, but none currently come to mind and most definitely none that are journey tales in the manner of Huck Finn.
On a personal note, it's been a long time since I read it but I don't remember liking it very much either. The language wasn't the issue, more the odd representation of Jim had me confused, he was stereotypical enough for the whiteys to understand him. I can see Twain's dilemma in that respect though; having to feed the message in a way the yokels would understand.
The words portray the environment at the time. Editing the words represents lack of respect for the author and almost teaching kids fabricated sense of history.
It would be shame to read a watered down version of books like Huckleberry Finn, To kill a mocking bird, Beloved and Their eyes were watching God or any literature that dealt with racism.
I read these book in high school and I think kids at that age are old enough to digest the use of "n" word in literature.
^ They raise a good point. If the "n-word" is to be replaced, does "slave" really capture the complexity? As they say in the clip, Jim was able to escape being a slave, but he could never escape the "n-word."
Because the word they are using isn't "negroid" and because it is not the letters themselves that are offensive. The word carries with very derogatory sentiments and a history of oppression that cannot be ignored.
