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Narrative techniques in huckleberry finn
Development of racism in the us
Narrative techniques in huckleberry finn
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Throughout Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the word “nigger” is mentioned more than 200 times. Because of this offensive term, the book has been subject to bans all across America. In result of the many bans, a new edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was released, one in which the word “nigger” has been replaced with “slave.” To some this seems the right call but in reality, the use of the word “nigger” is imperative to the novel. The censorship of the word “nigger” takes away from the novel in many ways. Replacing it would take away from the development of the characters and the messages within the text. The use of the word “nigger” correctly illustrates the 1800s Southern culture that the book takes place in. Replacing …show more content…
“nigger” would also give it the power that is so commonly feared while limiting the ability to have a conversation and efficiently share opinions of a serious issue. With the use of the word “nigger”, it is clear to see the development of characters throughout the novel.
Since the word carries a heavy connotation from its relations to slavery and racism, it becomes a big task for someone to overcome their original beliefs of blacks or at least make progress it bettering themselves. For Huck; the character that speaks the word more than any other, it is remarkable to see that he has befriended and come to love a black person (Jim). He starts the novel by tricking Jim and feeling no remorse. After time passes, Huck tricks Jim again and starts to feel remorse “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way (Chap 15 Page 89).” Right away we see the improvement of Huck and his treatment towards blacks. The word “nigger” makes the change seem greater and makes the change seem like it would more of a challenge for someone during that time to go …show more content…
through. When looking back at the South during the 1980s, the use of certain words like “nigger” were simply a part of their everyday speech.
It was commonly thought that blacks were inferior to whites and even thought that they were subhuman. This can be seen multiple times throughout the novel like when Jim and Huck come across a boy who says "Well, I RECKON! There's two hundred dollars reward on him. It's like picking up money out'n the road(Chap 31 Page 214)." In this quote, the boy sees Jim as nothing more than a pile of money which although disgusting, historically accurate for the time. This accuracy of the time is also mentioned by many english directors like the head of the English department at The Citadel James Leonard has been quoted as saying “We need to understand the racial context of the time”. While the boy is being hateful to Jim, when Huck uses “nigger” it is not as an insult or to incite hatred. He uses the word because he is a southern boy who has little education and would naturally refer to Jim and other blacks with the word “nigger” because of the lack or respect and humanity given to blacks at the
time. Some may argue that replacing the word nigger with slave is beneficial to society, the book, and the reader. They might say that the book is too offensive and hateful to keep “nigger” in. With this statement, it is clear that ignorance should be replaced with context. The head of the English department at The Citadel James Leonard, has been quoted as saying “We need to understand the racial context of the time”. With this, it is clear that instead of censorship, we should be focusing on educating about the historical context and why it was used. Censoring it is a way to avoid the heavy conversations that are bound to happen when discussing both the book and the time period. When “nigger” is replaced, it is giving the power back to the word. It is creating a scenario that will lack conversation and proper analysis. When “nigger” is used in this novel it creates an opportunity to have a conversation, to analyze the feelings and messages that rub off on the reader. Author David Bradley stated “Well you used the word “teachable moment” and that what “nigger” gives you. That’s why it’s important to keep it there.That teachable moment is when that word hits the table in a classroom, and everybody goes “ooo”. Ok let's talk about it. Let's talk about where it came from and let's talk about why you all went "ooo" ”. Bradley is saying that to properly have a conversation and to properly teach about the context of the word, it must stay in the book. The “teachable moment” would not happen if the word “slave” is used. In fact it would diminish the conversation being had, and would leave readers without the intended messages and context that is necessary to fully grasp the novel.
The Adventures of Huck Finn is a very controversial book which brings much debate on whether it should be taught to children in America. The main reason for this debate is because the offensive word ‘nigger’ is used commonly throughout. The book is a classic and is seen to some people as such a great book that we should overlook the offensive word to understand the real lessons Mark Twain wanted to get across. One solution to this ongoing debate is something called the New South Edition, which substitutes ‘nigger’ for a ‘slave’ a word that is less personal and describes the history of America. Dr. Alan Gribben writes about the controversy and how the change effects the new edition. He uses personal anecdote, emotional appeal, historical references.
How many times have you heard the “N” word being used as not an insult, but as a nickname for a friend? The truth is: In 2016, the “petrifying” “N” word has become less of an insult, and more of a simple nickname that many teens and young adults use for each other. The simple connotation of the word has been modified throughout the years from being something that was used as hurtful slander of the black population, to a petty pet name. For this simple reason alone, all of the arguments about Huckleberry Finn being “Racist
Slavery refers to a condition in which individuals are owned by others, who control where they live and at what they work. Twain wrote this novel twenty years after the Emancipation Proclamation but that didn’t stop white people from getting their “property”. Back then slavery was normal, it wasn’t illegal nor was it a crime. The sad part about it was how the white people thought the slaves were unintelligent, useless, possessions, etc. For example, on page 81, Huck realizes something interesting about Jim. “Well, he was right; he was most always right; he had an uncommon level head for a nigger” (81). “I see it warn’t no use wasting words—you can’t learn a nigger to argue. So I quit”. As Huck spends more time around Jim, Huck realizes that h...
Paula Lieder is a high school English teacher, and in her classroom while teaching this novel, she leads the class in discussions about racism and slavery. Lieder says that when reading this book “the discussion of race and prejudice must occur.” Her class also discusses the controversy of the book and the use of the word “nigger” (Lieder). When reading this novel students may ask themselves questions about the use of the word “nigger” and how it affects the book like Holbrook did. It’s obvious that Mark Twain was a good writer, and he knew what he was writing. So why would he use the word “nigger” repeatedly? (“Huckleberry Finn”) Holbrook would say it’s because Twain wants the reader to feel disgusted and upset. In order for Twain to get his readers to understand the hurtful nature of this word, he hit them with it over and over (“Huckleberry Finn”). Huckleberry Finn also stirs students’ imaginations while presenting information about human nature. Leo Marx says in Sharon Rush’s article,
Many words the book contains are full of vivid disgust towards black slaves. Every single line talks about how white people despise and refuse to accept the black race. Answering Aunt Sally's question about whether or not anyone is hurt Huck answers, "no mum, just killed a nigger."(Twain 213) This is the one and only acceptable way to talk about black people in the "white" society. In addition to this, not only is the black people treated differently from the white, they are also considered to be one's property. "He is the only property I have," (Twain 122) Huck is perforce to say in order to save Jim. This is the only way to get through without the essence of suspicions. Though Huck shows racism in public as society teaches him, deep inside he understands that Jim is a great person. Through the eyes of Huck Finn, Mark Twain shows that there is more to people then looks and race, showing the importance of beliefs and character.
At the start of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huck saw Jim as just any other black: not as valuable as any white, good for work, and someone who could be messed with because they believed in trifle things like “witches” (Twain 6). These were common beliefs at the time and the treatment was accepted. Huck had been with the
Jim’s anticipation for freedom grew higher as he expressed his future dreams and aspirations. Jim began saying things that “niggers” wouldn’t normally dare say. Jim was speaking like a white man, not like someone’s property, a slave. This attitude began to lower Huck’s vision of Jim, and his conscience grew even hotter. Huck had never been exposed to a slave who spoke this way. It was his inadequate education that told him this was wrong.
Also people in society believed that African Americans couldn’t look after themselves or there children properly. But as the book progresses Huck matures and realises a deeper truth and that Niggers were just like white people. As quoted by Huck pg 218,
How would you feel if an author published a book that contained a word that was once used frequently but has now developed into one of the most derogatory and unfriendly things a person can say? Since 1884, when the book was first published, there has been much controversy regarding the use of the word “nigger” in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Many people all over the world, predominantly the African-American population, feel that the word demoralizes the Blacks, and feel that the novel should be strongly censored from society. Some say that the constant use of the “n-word” forces the reader to conceive one of the main characters, Jim (Huck’s slave friend), as a buffoon, and it therefore embarrasses the African-American community through the use of stereotype. Although it may be hard for many people to read it without having a negative reaction, the censorship of this American classic would be preposterous. As one reads this novel, one can begin to notice that the main character, Huckleberry Finn, reached a turning point with his troublesome behavior and slowly but surely began to mature and settle down into adulthood. Mark Twain actually used the relationship of Jim and Huck to portray the moral values these characters come to learn and, therefore, his book should not in any way be censored or be kept away from the classrooms. This message is more powerful than the usage of the n-word in the novel.
Huck seeks to play a trick on Jim for fun, but Jim is not easily fooled and quickly denounces Huck’s action and takes serious offense by it. Huck sees he has hurt Jim and eventually apologizes for his actions, acting sincere in it. Huck had to think about how what he did was wrong”it was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger”, but Huck calling Jim a “nigger” informs the reader that Huck sees apologizing to Jim as a lowering of himself. The fifteen minutes that it takes for Huck to offer his apology to Jim represents Huck’s transition from perceiving Jim as inferior to believing in their equality. As Huck’s perception of Jim becomes more positive, his friendship with Jim grows.
As for some, the novel of Mark Twain, known as Huckleberry Finn, is subjecting high school students to a literature they are not mature enough to handle. These individuals who share in this idea encourage the novel to be introduced to students after their college enrolment. This is simply because they are not comfortable exposing the word, “nigger” in such a manner that it can be viewed as harmful to African Americans. My stance on this subject is very in favor of exposing the novel to high school students for many reasons. I find that many people look at the word “nigger” in only one viewing, and need to broaden their views of this word. The maturity of high school students is almost the same as those in college. However, many college students
The lessons Mark Twain teaches throughout his book are vital for every High School student to experience. One of the major points for arguing that The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn should be banned is the repetitive and overuse of the N word. On a surface level, the way the N word is used could seem very disrespectful however as one dives deeper into analysis, Twain seemingly uses the N word loosely to portray a message. Throughout the book, Jim is always looked upon with a negative attitude and being just a typical black person because of these traits. However, as Huck and Jim venture along the Mississippi river, Huck begins to act more and more like Jim is an actual person. A prime example of this is when Huck says “they’re comin for us” (Twain 63) rather than saying they’re coming for you. Huck sees him and Jim as a relationship rather than just him and a slave. Another example is when Huck says, “It was 15 minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n----” (89). Huck’s apology shows how Huck’s mindet towards not only Jim but all black people has changed, and that he actually has feelings for them now. The overall lesson tha...
This book has been banned from school libraries all over the country because of the main character's teenage angst, which many feel is too graphic for teenagers, and its profanity. Profanity, whether it be frequent or a rare occurrence, is a characteristic of many literary classics, as is the use of racial epithets.In the book Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (ranking number 2 on the list), an epithet is use many times over to describe the people of color in the book. Now since the book was published in 1885 and such language was common at the time, I do not belie...
Once again, the use of the n-word is relevant. This word explains Huck’s ingrained opinion of black people. He considers them inferior to the point of near inhumanity. While these ideas are mostly subconscious, this hereditary opinion proves just how desperate Huck is to have a father or simply a friend. Huck’s mother died, his father abused him, and his caretaker, the Widow, forced him to be something he was not. Huck’s loneliness is further intensified by the staging of his own death. At this point in the story, Huck truly has no friends who know he is alive and does not expect to see them again. Thus, Huck turns to Jim. This is proven by the entire meaning of this sentence which is that Huck apologizes for hurting Jim. Both the hesitation and the use of the n-word demonstrate Huck’s poor opinion of Jim but he apologizes all the same. Jim is the only person left to Huck and no matter how the boy feels about his companion, he strives to remain on good terms with Jim. This constant desire to please Jim demonstrates Huck’s loneliness true childhood. Twain includes this relationship to demonstrate to readers that, no matter how many adventures he goes on or how many fights he is in, Huck is still just a little boy. Like any other boy, he just wants love and attention. Since Jim is the only one to provide this, Huck must overcome his discriminatory opinions of his elder in order to meet his own needs. As
Every word is written intentionally and contributes to the meaning of the story and the message the author is trying to deliver. Changing a word, can alter the story greatly. It has been proposed to replace the word “nigger” in Huckleberry Finn with the word slave. By replacing the term “nigger” with the term “slave,” it is equating the two terms. However, “nigger” “denies humanity and along with it justice and mercy” (Source 8). Slavery, on the contrary, is a financial situation which is not inherently derogatory, while “nigger” is meant to have a negative connotation. The words “slave” and “nigger” are not interchangeable, especially not 219 times. “Our words create, color, layer and texture and contextualize the stories we tell,” by changing the words of the novel, we are changing the entire story (Source 1). As offensive as it may be, it is important to understand the novel in its original context because that is the way it was written in order to deliver the intended messages. Student should learn to read novels as they were written in order to truly understand