Friday, December 4, 2009
huck finn
I think I am going to say that i think the book has rascist words but how they are used throughout the whole story is not very racist. I also want to say that this book is a classic, wether or not it sucks, and should be read by english students. I think if the book is taught to spark debates or disccussion like lavander did for us it can be very helpful. the fact that this book makes some students angry and others bothered by the writing is the reason it can be such a good teaching guide. i am not really sure what passages im going to use for this essay, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. there are a few quotes i got from the movie that will really help in my arguement that this book is not racist if you look at as a whole book and not a few words in each page. also i want to make a huge point on how that was the word to describe people of color during that time period. reading the book now where that word is thought of as inapropriate is much different from the time that he wrote the book. so far i havent found a critic that is perfect for my arguement.. the movie is the thing helping me the most. i will have to read more critics before i find which one is the best for me. well thats all i can think of for now. if you have any ideas let me know.
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When you say that the "nigger" word is unappropriate now compared to before is contreversal. I agree that it was what the white people dubbed black people, but it was still a harming word.
ReplyDeleteDevin,
ReplyDeleteA good post (and I'm glad you've begun to think through your approach to this essay). Because you seem focused primarily on issues surrounding the use of the 'N' word, you might consider reviewing Kevin Cato's essay on its history (it the last piece, I think, in the packet I handed out). Peaches Henry's essay (in which she argues that the book can be appropriate to teach even to African American students) could be helpful as well--it's in the package also. Again, the 'holistic' approach seems a good one.
I look forward to watching your essay evolve!