Thesis: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a racist novel and should not be a part of the high school curriculum, not because of its racist roots but because it does not accurately portray the history of slavery.
- better choices (Uncle Tom's Cabin...Narrative of the Life of an American Slave)
- cannot hide the racism of the novel by simply taking out offensive words
- "...was anyone hurt..."
- *Jim is treated as stupid*
- "depiction of cruelty" (Smiley Say It Ain't So, Huck)
- "Moreover, the most serious motive in the novel, Jim's yearning for freedom, is made the object of nonsense" (Marx 4) Mr. Eliot, Mr. Trilling, and Huckleberry Finn
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The solution is not to re-word or change the novel of Huckleberry Finn, but to be rid of it entirely. A better choice such as Uncle Tom's Cabin or Narrative of the Life of an American Slave, should be read in place of the abortive novel of Huckleberry Finn.
Kristie,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a strong, workable thesis here and have already identified some of those critics (Smiley, for example) who will be well able to help you defend it. You might wind up using a lot of the critics (especially those who defend the novel and its teaching) as foils to advance your own counter-argument. Regardless, I look forward to seeing what you come up with on Thursday!