The Rewrite of Huckleberry Finn? My opinion.
I got an early morning text from a friend asking what I thought about the rewrite of Mark Twain’s classic “Huckleberry Finn”. My response was, “How is that possible? Didn’t Twain die in 1910? How could he rewrite anything? Well then, that’s that!”
I understand the intent but changing the texts doesn’t change the history, it just keeps people from learning the truth.
I am a technology teacher, so Mark Twain is not a part of my curriculum these days. But to be honest, if it were, I would talk about the realities of the period, shedding light on that piece of history “as I know it”.
Yes slavery was harsh/nasty/ugly, but it is what it is! And there’s no way to turn back the hands of time. Replacing the “n” word with the word “slaves” covers-up the true attitude of many living in south (or U.S) during that time. Let it be known forever! Nicing-up the language, gives me a different outlook on the character. Is that a good thing? Not if you ask me.
By taking the “n” word out of the book takes away from the reality of the story’s characters.
Real history can be ugly, but we can learn from it.
Imagine, another 200 years from now…students reading about slavery will think it was a cake-walk because of the “rewrites” during this P.C (politically correctness) movement.
In my opinion:
And keeping it real, the “n” word doesn’t make us look bad, it makes the one using the word look bad. That doesn’t mean I agree that it should be used in art today, but it is. Imagine changing other works of literature, plays, movies, SONGS to make them politically correct.
The bright light of truth should always shine on our history-less we repeat it!
Right on, I agree 100%!
Failure to learn from history, will doom us to repeat it.
I agree. I do want my children to know the true language of that time. I’ll teach them at home not to us it.
The ugly truth is as real as the not-so-ugly truth. Yet both the institution of slavery and the ‘N’-word are a package deal! They are BOTH historical realities.
It is the JOB of teachers, performing artists, musicians, ect. to pull us through history, and bring us into the feeling(s) of past time(s)—as if it were really our personal experience. To do less, serves only the mind and not the heart.
One would almost want to consider the motivation to change the original text—like this hasn’t achieved before as it relates to historical texts, documents, artifacts, etc. And exactly WHO or WHAT group desires to do it? I’d be interested to find out.
Is it a social response? Perhaps an emotional one? I think these are valid question that should be probed to some degree. Excellent post! I couldn’t agree more Autumn.
I believe it to be an travesty if we were lead to change the historical facts of the past, lots of history has be captured in writtings that were omitted by governments political interest…Should we also change the langague used in the books written about Ann Franks (Jewish experience) and who has the rights to choose when and what gets changed? Does America want to forget the truth of its dark past? Next we’ll be saying Jim Crow was folklore………. REALLY….
Thank you,
@JYP I applaud you for realizing the need to teach our children at home too.
@Blackmen Talk Yes i agree, but sometimes we teachers do this with a bias. Teaching from a perspective that is bias free is easier said than done but has to be done; especially when you are so connected to the history. Just sticking to the facts is what’s important-and enough.
@KAjohnson Yes I believe that some of America wants to forget. And you make a good point, who is to say what gets rewritten, what gets tweaked. As you said, this has been going on for too long. Rewrtting history, Christopher Columbus, the first Americans, the first Egytians, the first hebrews…etc….