If you really thought Eminem was the best way to convey that message, then editing those words would destroy any meaning or power the song had.

 

But I don't think that changing the words in this story DOES change the message. That's my point.

My point is I think it betrays a great anti-racist novel by changing the words.

If the problem of racism in this country was long over with Huckleberry Finn would be the easiest book in the world to teach, I realize that, but as it stands the uproar over this book shows us exactly how much or how little America has changed. So I understand your view, I just feel it's a cop out by parents and teachers to pretend that the language of that period was void of the words in question. I think Habib worded it best when he said "it's important for students to understand and grapple with the society where this language was common. Meddling with the finished work neuters the author's intent and value along with it."

 

Here's where I struggle. You say it's a copout to pretend that the language of that period was void of the words in question.

 

I don't believe for a second that we would allow Eminem to be quoted in our middle schools . Why? The words being used.

In Mark Twain's own words, "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter – it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."

 

The lighting/lightning but example cited shows that it's immaterial to this issue.

But I don't think that changing the words in this story DOES change the message. That's my point.

I disagree, I believe it does, but we can agree to disagree.

How about this idea? Instead of teaching this novel in grade school, how about leaving it for junior or senior year in high school and if that's not suitable how about in college? Better that than to tamper with Twain's work IMO.

I disagree, I believe it does, but we can agree to disagree.

How about this idea? Instead of teaching this novel in grade school, how about leaving it for junior or senior year in high school and if that's not suitable how about in college? Better that than to tamper with Twain's work IMO.

 

High school would be appropriate.

High school would be appropriate.

:thumb:

But I don't think that changing the words in this story DOES change the message. That's my point.

 

It doesn't change the plot but it absolutely changes the message.

First of all, I think that several things need to be addressed:

 

If a 4th grader reads Huck Finn, it's likely that they are going to completely miss the message of the book, censored or uncensored. However when kids get to about the 7th grade level, I believe they can absolutely "get it", if it's a part of a teaching plan, and discussed in a teacher-lead discussion.

 

I disagree strongly with censoring literature. I absolutely believe that literary works should be left in their original form. Those who think replacing text is acceptable are not getting the complexity of the written word. The subtleties and complexity of the "right" arrangement are simply not imparted in the same way if changed.

 

If a tome is not suitable for reading by a child, then it is simple to exclude it from reading lists. But make no mistake, in this case, what they see on TV, in movies, hear in music, and likely from people in their own lives is much more harmful to the formation of their opinions on subjects such as racism, gender"ism", etc. The fact that such a literary work would be excluded is a disservice to the opportunities it provides to teach a better lesson.

First of all, I think that several things need to be addressed:

 

If a 4th grader reads Huck Finn, it's likely that they are going to completely miss the message of the book, censored or uncensored. However when kids get to about the 7th grade level, I believe they can absolutely "get it", if it's a part of a teaching plan, and discussed in a teacher-lead discussion.

 

I disagree strongly with censoring literature. I absolutely believe that literary works should be left in their original form. Those who think replacing text is acceptable are not getting the complexity of the written word. The subtleties and complexity of the "right" arrangement are simply not imparted in the same way if changed.

 

If a tome is not suitable for reading by a child, then it is simple to exclude it from reading lists. But make no mistake, in this case, what they see on TV, in movies, hear in music, and likely from people in their own lives is much more harmful to the formation of their opinions on subjects such as racism, gender"ism", etc. The fact that such a literary work would be excluded is a disservice to the opportunities it provides to teach a better lesson.

 

Your point about the subtleties and complexities is correct. However, when we're talking about the junior high level those are being missed regardless of what words are being used. That's my point. This is an issue of "age appropriate" IMO. I think the message gets through at the junior high level regardless of which word you use. Your points are have 100% validity at a higher level.

Are we now using rap songs in the classroom to teach life lessons?

 

I've seen it, from a few outstanding professors.

I've seen it, from a few outstanding professors.

 

Professors = college.

 

We're talking middle school.

I do find it ironic that we find that students are not fit to read the words of Mark Twain as they were written, while at the same time the halftime entertainment for the Under Armor High School All American Game features a performance by Fabolous of the song Girl You Be Killin' Em which uses the N-word and refers to women as Hoes.

Huckleberry Finn is perhaps one of my favorite books, which I have read a number of times since childhood. One of my favorite things about the book is it use of the vernacular with regard to several of the characters. As Mark Twain points out in the Explanation that precedes the text of the novel, he make a concentrated effort to have the characters speak as they would have spoken in the time that they lived.

 

IN this book a number of dialects are used, to wit: the Missouri negro dialect; the extremest form of the backwoods Southwestern dialect; the ordinary "Pike County" dialect; and four modified varieties of this last. The shadings have not been done in a haphazard fashion, or by guesswork; but painstakingly, and with the trustworthy guidance and support of personal familiarity with these several forms of speech.

 

I make this explanation for the reason that without it many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding.

 

THE AUTHOR.

 

This is part of the literary style which at least to me has make this novel so appealing. The words were used purposely and not without forethought. The institution of slavery and the manner in which the black population of this country was treated at that time is real, and I feel that it is a disservice to change the language as it softens the mental image that is formed while reading the book. Knowing that the N-word was commonly used and accepted gives a better understanding of what conditions the black population had to face on a daily basis.

This country is becoming more and more Facscist every day. Even the thought of changing a legendary’s author work to appease a few people is appauling to me. I’ve got a pretty simple solution, if anybody is offended with the language in the novel, then don’t read it. I’m horribly offended at the whole Twilight saga for crapping all over the vampire franchise, but I’m not going on a campaign to change the story. I simply choose not to watch them.

Huckleberry Finn is perhaps one of my favorite books, which I have read a number of times since childhood. One of my favorite things about the book is it use of the vernacular with regard to several of the characters. As Mark Twain points out in the Explanation that precedes the text of the novel, he make a concentrated effort to have the characters speak as they would have spoken in the time that they lived.

 

 

This is part of the literary style which at least to me has make this novel so appealing. The words were used purposely and not without forethought. The institution of slavery and the manner in which the black population of this country was treated at that time is real, and I feel that it is a disservice to change the language as it softens the mental image that is formed while reading the book. Knowing that the N-word was commonly used and accepted gives a better understanding of what conditions the black population had to face on a daily basis.

 

Eminem uses language just like his characters would use them. You want that used in 7th or 8th grade English when studying poetry?