Huck Finn Gets Some Changes

[knight_shadow]

Acclaimed by critics, scholars, and -- of course -- readers, Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is one of the great American novels. The book has been reprinted countless times, adapted into movies, and translated into just about every language under the sun. But should it be updated for today's times?

News that the manuscript would undergo some changes sent shockwaves through the Search box. According to Publishers Weekly, NewSouth Books plans to release a version of "Huck Finn" that cuts the "n" word and replaces it with "slave." The slur "injun," referring to Native Americans, will also be replaced.

link

[preciousjeni]

I think I just heard a cheer from "post-racial" America. As long as the original version is still on the shelves, ehh.

[tld221]

come on son.

[33girl]

Ridiculous.

[DaemonSeid]

We can cut the 'nigger' out of Huck Finn but can't cut it out of rap lyrics.


Right....gotcha.


Hmmm...which one would kids rather have? A Mark Twain classic or Lil' Wayne's latest?

[MysticCat]

I was a little surprised this was news. I mean, there have been similar "edits" before.

And I'll admit -- I've tried more than once, and I just can't get more than a few chapters in Huckleberry Finn before I give up.

[Animate]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

We can cut the 'nigger' out of Huck Finn but can't cut it out of rap lyrics.


Right....gotcha.


Hmmm...which one would kids rather have? A Mark Twain classic or Lil' Wayne's latest?

Two different beasts. I think editing literature is pretty lame. Rap, hell entertainment, is derived from society. You want lyrics changed you have to start at the source.

I honestly don't care about usage most of the time. I don't like when terms are used as insults. It is all in the context being used.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Animate

Two different beasts. I think editing literature is pretty lame. Rap, hell entertainment, is derived from society. You want lyrics changed you have to start at the source.

I honestly don't care about usage most of the time. I don't like when terms are used as insults. It is all in the context being used.

part of that source is what are we teaching to those that need to be educated.

I mean me personally, leave the book alone but when it comes to using that word in society, what are we doing to educate those that are on either side.

There are just as many that refuse to use the word "because it's wrong" and have no clue on the etymology of the word as the ones who do.

And even still just because it's in society, doesn't make it 'right' or 'smart'.

[Animate]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

And even still just because it's in society, doesn't make it 'right' or 'smart'.

Not right or wrong in my opinion. Its usage can make it not smart though.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Animate

Not right or wrong in my opinion. Its usage can make it not smart though.

Right (and I think we are starting to go a bit into a circle) and the biggest issue is being able to properly educate anyone when it's misused.

problem is, of course some people don't want to be educated.

[DaemonSeid]

This is why I hate this debate over the word....because there is no across the board rule...it's 'bad' in some instances and 'ok' in others.

And some of the places where it's 'allowed' in my opinion, are the WRONG places....like..........RAP MUSIC.

I remember there was a stand up act I was watching that i cut off before it really got started because the comedian seemingly said the word almost as much as he was breathing (literally) while in his act.

Society sits on the fence over the word.

It's ignored in some instances but when Dr. Laura or Michael Richards uses it, we need to go get pitchforks and torches....

Ugh.

[Kevin]

Likely schools told publishing companies that they would simply read different books until the edits were made. Publishing companies, wanting to continue to sell books probably complied.

As long as the historically accurate version remains available, I don't really see the problem.

[Drolefille]

I'd rather they just not teach Huck Finn at a high school level. There are plenty of other ways to teach about slavery or about Twain that don't involve an uncomfortable room full of teenagers saying the N-word all day long.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'd rather they just not teach Huck Finn at a high school level. There are plenty of other ways to teach about slavery or about Twain that don't involve an uncomfortable room full of teenagers saying the N-word all day long.

I remember reading this book in middle school. I lived in an affluent suburb at the time, but was not uncomfortable using the word in that context. Everyone else got nervous while reading it, to the point where they were asking me to say it every time the word came up.

/random sidebar

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I remember reading this book in middle school. I lived in an affluent suburb at the time, but was not uncomfortable using the word in that context. Everyone else got nervous while reading it, to the point where they were asking me to say it every time the word came up.

/random sidebar

Yeah obviously individual experiences will vary. I just don't see the necessity of teaching the book. I don't think the book itself does a good job of counteracting the language in it. Also, reading in dialect is and always will be a pain in the ass. I'd rather kids read something more equivalent to the Diary of Anne Frank than Huck Finn if the point is learning about slavery in America. If the point is learning about Twain he's written other books, articles, and short prose as well. I know my teachers didn't do a good job of handling Huck Finn, and I never felt like I really learned anything. In all truth it may have been the first time I'd run across the n-word knowingly.

I was reading a relatively modern book out loud for a therapeutic book club at a day program and one of the characters is flashing back to his time working for a racist boss. I ended up reading the story as written even though I had several n-words, several c-words, and an assortment of the ones that I do actually say myself. I gave a warning ahead of time and just barreled through it. I'm not sure it was the best choice, but we talked about it after finishing the passage.

/my cool story bro.