Mark Twain wrote what he wrote it the times he lived. We did not read Huck Finn in school. I don't think it was banned all those years ago in California...but it might have been. We were taught at home and at school not to ever use the "N" word. We were to say negro and to also never say black. Later black became acceptable. Never the "N" word. So I never actually read Huck Finn or for that matter Tom Sawyer.
Now a publisher is planning to remove the "N" word from the book. When I read about Huck Finn it does seem that the "N' word is used in the name of a character of the book so that is probably why it is used so much in the text. Oh well. If it makes a whole group of people feel better about the book what is the harm? There will always be the original text available. By removing the "N" word it could open up the book for school children to enjoy the story. And if Mark Twain were writing today I think he would have used another name for the character.
Oops! I have learned that the character was not named with the "N" word...but the word was used to describe him. So I got a bit confused. Now I am sure that if Mark Twain were writing today he would not use the "N" word...
Letting others know what I think leaves me open to other opinions. That is good in a free society where we can express our thoughts and beliefs.
Oops! I have learned that the character was not named with the "N" word...but the word was used to describe him. So I got a bit confused. Now I am sure that if Mark Twain were writing today he would not use the "N" word...
Letting others know what I think leaves me open to other opinions. That is good in a free society where we can express our thoughts and beliefs.
3 comments:
I respectfully disagree. I think censorship is wrong. It was wrong to not let kids read the book and it is wrong to change the book to suit our times. Knowing that the N word was used so casually in the late-nineteenth and twentieth century is part of an education. Hiding the fact does not allow us to see the positive changes we have made.
No, nigger was not part of a character name, although Injun was. In Huckleberry Fin, especially, Twain was using regional vernacular. Jim the runaway slave that forms the reason for the story was highly respected, but, as was common, was called a Nigger.
I don't believe you enrich children's knowledge and appreciation of the world buy insulating them from it. A wise teacher would turn the "n word" presence into many lessons, including cultural sensitivity. This book company is way out of line.
In the 60s it was banning Tarzan books from the libraries because Tarzan and Jane never got married. I submit that Adam and Eve also never got married. I don't see many trying to ban the bible over that.
Fortunately, Huck Fin is available as an audio book for free. You might really enjoy it.
Read about a study that discouraged children from verbal harassment of others and it said that physical abuse was in turn reduced by these children. What we say hurts people. We need to teach our children that. I am not saying that the book should be totally banned. I am only saying that a less hurtful version of it can be enjoyed by school children. The "N" word makes me cringe...I really don't like to hear it though I did hear it as a child. Limiting free speech is what is done when we tell our children to stop verbal abuse of other children.
The world has changed a lot and it will keep changing. Hopefully for the better.
Just remember child porn is censored and most of us agree with that! We cannot incite riots and not be held accountable. There is a limit on Free Speech whatever we may think.
Dorothy
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