Synthesis Writing: Huck Finn Name: ________Colby Vuong___________
Period:__8___
Should The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn be a required reading in American Literature?
MY CLAIM: (formulate after reading the sources)
Despite the tremendous use of odious racial slurs, Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,
should be taught in high school not only for its great story, but more importantly as a tool for exposing high school
students to the strained race relations and genuine portrayal of the American culture of the 1830s.
1 2 3 4
“Publisher Edits “Fight Over Huck “The Adventures of “White Wash”
SOURCE
Twain Classics to Finn Continues: Ed Huckleberry Finn”
Remove Slurs” School Professor
Wages Battle for
Twain Classic”
Conan, Neal, and Alan Powell, Alvin. “Fight Englehart, Bob. “The Bors, Matt. “White Wash.”
Gribben. “Publisher over Huck Finn Adventures of Matt Bors, Matt Bors, 10
Edits Twain Classics To Continues: Ed School Huckleberry Finn.” Jan. 2011,
MLA Remove Slurs.” NPR, Professor Wages Battle PoliticalCartoons.com, mattbors.com/blog/2011/01
CITATION NPR, 5 Jan. 2011, for Twain Classic.” PoliticalCartoons.com, 7 /10/white-wash/.
www.npr.org/2011/01/0 Harvard Gazette, The Jan. 2011,
5/132681463/publisher- President and Fellows caglecartoons.com/viewi
edits-twain-classics-to- of Harvard College, 20 mage.asp?
remove-slurs? Sept. 2016, ID={A48A6282-76DE-
forcedownload=true. news.harvard.edu/gazet 44DD-8FA9-
Accessed 3 Dec. 2017. te/story/2000/09/fight- 7260AAA5674B}.
over-huck-finn-
continues-ed-school-
professor-wages-battle-
for-twain-classic/.
1) “Tom Sawyer” and 1) “Huck Finn” should 1) Changing the book will 1) If the slurs are removed
“Huck Finn” are one of be taught to students change the personalities from “Huck Finn,” then all
the best novels of the because it is an of the characters in the other classics in
19th century. important work by “Huck Finn.” literature and the Bible
2) Teachers can use Twain since it was when should be modified.
“Huck Finn” as an his writings began to
opportunity to discuss reflect his social 2) Removing the N-word 2) Modifying “Huck Finn”
race relations. conscience. from “Huck Finn” will or any of the other books
3) The N-word is a 2) The book opens up change the meaning of will destroy the purpose of
hurtful word, but Twain an easy approach to the book. the story.
SUMMARY intended to use that talking about the touchy
What is the kind of language as an subject of racism.
author essential part of the 3) The issues in the
saying or meaning of the book. book are often
revealing 4) By teaching revised important to black
about the versions of “Huck people who trace their
issue? Finn,” we are also ancestry to slaves.
rewriting history (and 4) Read “Huck Finn”
being ignorant towards because it’s a good
history). book that allows for
5) If many of today’s good debate.
books, magazines, rap
music, and movies still
use the N-word, then it
must be good enough to
stay in the book.
1) “That is a great 1) “Twain’s writings 1) In this comic, a man 1) In this comic, the author
shame, because these stopped being just with an emoji happy face illustrates how each of the
two are probably the stories and began to is sitting in front of his six literary works should be
most vibrant novels of reflect his social computer. This represents modified in order to be
ANALYSIS/ the 19th century” (¶10). conscience” (¶8). Not that removing the N-word deemed appropriate for
COMMENT If “Tom Sawyer” and only do readers learn from “Huck Finn” will today’s society. However,
ARY “Huck Finn” are one of about the southern way change many of the these revisions all seem
the best stories of the of life in the 1830s, they characters in the story, very silly and satirical. For
How would 19th century, then also can analyze how especially Jim. Without instance, revising all the
the author students should read “Huck Finn” is actually the original text, Jim is curse words in the Bible
or speaker these books. is a reflection of who not the same person, creates a funny, but
in the 2) “Now some people Twain is and what his essentially having him weightless saying: “‘I’ll
article have objected by saying social conscience is like. “lose” his face. This dang you to heck,’ sayeth
answer the that this might deprive 2) “Literature is a good image clearly illustrates a the Lord.”
prompt? teachers and educators way to do that because man that no longer has a 2) “A new edition of
of a wonderful it keeps the subject at face, or an identity. Huckleberry Finn will
How does opportunity to get into arm’s length away” 2) “‘He was a mighty replace the words ‘nigger’
this support discussions of race (¶10). Racism is hardly good African American and ‘Injun’ with nicer
your claim? relations” (¶14). discussed, or even man of color and ones.” Repeatedly
Undoubtedly, Twain’s mentioned in class. celebrant of Kwanzaa, Jim demonstrated with several
books are very good in However, with books was,’ said Huckleberry.” literary works, modifying
discussing about race like “Huck Finn,” Although extremely them will destroy the very
relations. As a result, teachers can approach satirical, this comic purpose of the story. For
this is very fortunate the touchy subject with clearly demonstrates how example, the author
for the students since it much more ease, which silly and meaningless the proposed to change Romeo
provides them an could allow them to text will become if the N- & Juliet so that the lovers
opportunity to properly properly educate word is removed. It will “grow old together and die
learn about racism in students and eliminate completely change the of natural causes.”
America’s history in any false information or story. However, this change
school. beliefs. completely destroys the
3) “It is a hurtful word, 3) “The issues dealt unique tragedy between
and that that’s exactly with in “Huckleberry two teenage lovers. Like
what Twain intended … Finn” are important Romeo & Juliet, changing
and the language in the ones to Chadwick, who “Huck Finn” will destroy
book is essential to the traces her ancestry to the very purpose of why
meaning of the book” slaves on both her Twain wrote this story.
(¶28). Like many of the mother’s and father’s
other sources, this side of the family”
interview explains that (¶22). Although many
removing the N-word believe that “Huck
from “Huck Finn” will Finn” may offend those
completely change the whose ancestors were
story from what Twain slaves, they actually
intended it to be. embrace their families’
4) “Rewriting things histories. Reading
like ‘Huck Finn’ is the “Huck Finn” may
first step to rewriting provide them a better
history. What’s next?” outlook at the
(¶33). By removing the experiences of their
N-word in “Huck Finn,” ancestors in the 1830s.
people are changing
the history of southern
society in the early 19th
century. Without the
slurs, people today will
not have good
perspective on the
severity of racism
during this time.
5) “If it’s good enough 4) “[S]he believes good
for rap music and books should cause
movies in 2010, it people to furrow their
should remain in this brows and seek out
original novel” (¶52). If someone to talk to.
the N-word is still That’s the job of
existent in pop culture literature, she said, and
today, then it should be that’s what Twain
okay for the N-word to achieved in
exist in high school “Huckleberry Finn”
literature. (¶30). Most importantly,
students should read
“Huck Finn” because it
is a literary
masterpiece. Like many
other great writings,
“Huck Finn” leaves
many unanswered
questions and sparks
debate and
controversies.
1) “‘Well, I b'lieve you, 1) “All right, then, I'll go 1) “Well, if ever I struck 1) “There was a free nigger
Huck. I—I run off.’ to hell” (214). anything like it, I'm a there from Ohio — a
‘Jim!’” (43). 2) “Human beings can nigger. It was enough to mulatter, most as white as
Examples 2) “And then think of be awful cruel to one make a body ashamed of a white man” (27).
from Huck me! It would get all another” (230). the human race” (162). 2) “It was fifteen minutes
Finn that around that Huck Finn 2) “[D]o you reckon a before I could work myself
will help helped a nigger to get nigger can run across up to go and humble myself
support his freedom; and if I money and not borrow to a nigger; but I done it”
your claim was ever to see some of it?” (172). (86).
anybody from that town
again I'd be ready to
get down and lick his
boots for shame” (212).
5 6 (opposing)
“One Hundred Years on a Raft” “Time to update schools’ reading lists”
SOURCE
Nicol, Charles. “One Hundred Years on a Raft.” Foley, John. “Guest Columnist: Time to Update Schools'
Harper's Magazine, Jan. 1986, pp. 65–68. Reading Lists.” Seattlepi.com, Seattlepi.com, 5 Jan.
2009, www.seattlepi.com/local/opinion/article/Guest-
MLA Columnist-Time-to-update-schools-reading-
CITATION 1296681.php.
SUMMARY 1) Despite decades of criticisms, “Huck Finn” has 1) “Huck Finn” must be removed from high school
What is the always been a great book with many readers. curriculums, but it should still be available in
author 2) Leaving out the N-words destroys the meaning classrooms and libraries.
saying or of the whole book. 2) The novel uses a Southern dialect that is very
revealing 3) Mark Twain was just being playful and challenging to read and interpret.
about the humorous in his writings, including “Huck 3) Most black students are uncomfortable when the N-
issue? Finn.” word is being discussed in class.
4) There are many other books that are great
replacements for “Huck Finn.”
1) “Nothing here has changed my opinion that 1) “I hope they go to private and public libraries and
Huckleberry Finn never did need critics, it has remain in high school classrooms. I would keep
ANALYSIS/ always kept a wide and loving readership copies in my own classroom and encourage students
COMMENT without (or in spite of) them” (65). Obviously, to read them. But they don’t belong on the
ARY the book does not need to be modified because curriculum” (¶4). Although many may say that the
so many readers already love the original N-word needs to disappear from today’s society, it
How would version. was a word that strongly described the identities
the author 2) “But in Dr. Wallace’s version, “killed a nigger” and beliefs that were prevalent throughout America,
or speaker is simply left out, destroying the whole especially in the South, during the early 19th
in the meaning and making the passage look like an century. By erasing the N-word from today’s society,
article empty filler” (67). Not only does this destroy we are also erasing history.
answer the the satire in the passage, but it also completely 2) “The novel meanders along slower than the
prompt? changes the Aunt Sally’s character and Mississippi River and uses a Southern dialect every
personality. bit as challenging as Shakespeare’s Old English”
How does 3) “They deserve an audience. Sam Clemens (¶5). Mark Twain’s Southern dialect in “Huck Finn”
this support would have liked them” (68). Although very is very challenging to read and interpret. However,
your claim? hard to interpret, this allegory explains that it also represented a revolution in the literary world
Twain wasn’t intending to write his books so during the late 19th century. First introduced by
that he would be criticized for implementing Twain, authors began to use and implement
such harsh slurs. He was just trying to be vernacular speech into their writings as a way to
humorous. deepen the readers’ familiarity with the characters.
3) “With few exceptions, all the black students in my
classes over the years have appeared very
uncomfortable when I’ve discussed these matters at
the beginning of the unit” (¶7). Without learning
about the origins of the N-word, many black
students may feel uncomfortable around the word.
However, after reading “Huck Finn,” many black
students may see from a new perspective, and
realize that the N-word is part of history.
4) “The best choice, in my view, would be Larry
McMurtry’s ‘Lonesome Dove’” (¶11). Despite the
fact that students may learn much about women in
American history, “Lonesome Dove” does not teach
students about slavery. Although both issues were
prominent issues in American history, the issue of
slavery, racism, and prejudice dominated society all
throughout history, its remnants can still be
observed today. “Huck Finn” is one of the best
options to do this, while still providing readers a
great story to follow.
1) “‘We blowed out a cylinder-head.’ ‘Good 1) “I knowed he was white inside, and I reckoned he’d
gracious! anybody hurt?’ ‘No’m. Killed a say what he did say” (275).
nigger’ ‘Well, it’s lucky; because sometimes 2) “I ain’ gwyne to len’ no mo’ money ’dout I see
Examples people do get hurt’” (221). security. Boun’ to git yo’ money back a hund’d
from Huck 2) “It was according to the old saying, ‘Give a times, de preacher says! Ef I could git de ten cents
Finn that nigger an inch and he'll take an ell’” (88). back, I’d call it squah, en be glad er de chanst” (47).
will help
support
your claim
