Analyzing Views on 'Huckleberry Finn' Controversy

Three journal articles have been chosen to analyze the classic novel 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain, published in 1884. The selection was made due to the novel's widespread acclaim as a notable literary work.

Ernest Hemingway famously said that Mark Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn' is the beginning of modern American literature, emphasizing its continued importance and the debates over themes of race and adolescent conduct.

The three articles to be discussed are:
1) Huckleberry Finn and America (Chicago Tribune, January 17, 2002)
2) Huck Finn, Censorship and the N-word Controversy, by Delia Lloyd (www.

politicsdaily.com, January 6, 2011)
3) Light out, Huck, They Still Want to ‘Sivilize’ You, by Michiko Kakutani (The New York Times, January 6, 2011).

The primary focus in assessing these three articles will be on the authors' overall positive views of the book and their remarks on its contentious subjects, specifically concentrating on the collective opinions conveyed about 'Huckleberry Finn'.

In Article 1, it is highlighted that "Huckleberry Finn" is considered one of the most influential and controversial books in American history.

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The author acknowledges that despite efforts to censor it, the book continues to be a valuable tool for education.

The author agrees with Twain's goals in the novel, praising it and rejecting criticisms that question its portrayal of hatred, racism, intolerance, religious bigotry, royalty, and imperialism. In contrast, Delia Lloyd does not take a firm position on the novel in article 2.

Even though she professes to be a Mark Twain fan, it is evident that she holds a positive opinion of the novel.

In Article 3, penned by Michiko Kakutani, there is an initial quote from Hemingway regarding Twain. However, no additional personal viewpoints on the book are provided in the article.

Upon closer examination, the article strongly defends its position and the author displays a defiant attitude towards critics. The articles reflect varying opinions and ideas regarding the nature of the novel and the potential benefits of altering it. It is noteworthy to consider the different dates of publication for each article.

Written in 2002, Article 1 criticizes those who seek to disapprove the novel for its controversial language. Articles 2 & 3, both written on January 6, 2011, were inspired by a similar event involving a university professor, Alan Gribben, who released a new version of ‘Huckleberry Finn’ with more neutral terms. The author of Article 1 strongly disapproves of this action.

‘Twain wrote satire, and his books contain valuable lessons, even if they may upset readers or seem to unintentionally promote injustice and racism through the telling of hard truths’. He concludes by making his stance on the racial and social issues raised by the novel very clear.

Delia Lloyd expresses a somewhat ambivalent opinion about the idea of making changes to the novel Huckleberry Finn. She sympathizes with authors who disagree with Gribben's version, questioning how sanitizing history can impact children's learning about the real world.

Elon James White argues that in order for Americans to openly address prejudice, students must be made uncomfortable with terms that are part of our country's racist past. Delia Lloyd, however, has some positive remarks about Gribben's ideas, noting practical reasons to support a cleaned-up version of "Huckleberry Finn" based on her experience as a mother.

Mary Elizabeth Williams considers it to be "the worst thing in the world." Article 3 opposes changing the original version of the novel, as indicated by the misspelling of the word 'civilize' in the title. This references the characters in the book who mispronounce words. Michiko Kakutani elaborates on this concept in the article, subtly and ironically refuting Grribben. Kakutani often criticizes Grubbin's work by putting adjectives like 'improved' in inverted commas or using aggressive language to describe him.

('Despite being considered a classic, the novel has faced bans, censorship, and alterations'). I feel strongly that the initial version of the book should be upheld as it is a work of art that deserves reverence. Educators should approach discussions about the novel with care and strive to convey Mark Twain's true purpose. (Source: Huckleberry Finn and America, Chicago Tribune, January 17, 2002).

Two articles, one from www.politicsdaily.com and one from The New York Times, discuss the controversy surrounding Mark Twain's novel 'Huckleberry Finn' and the debate over changing its controversial elements. Both pieces are influenced by Toni Morrison's work 'Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination'.