Mark Twain Essay

Mark Twain Rough Draft Essay

Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is considered to be one of the most famous books ever written. It was discovered that throughout the book, the word "nigger" is used 219 times. This word has sparked many controversial issues throughout the United States. There are some who want the word banned, and erased from the english language. Those kind of people are the ones that changed the word in Huckleberry Finn to "slave". Then there are those who could care less about the word. I am one of those people. Its not the word that dehumanizes african americans, its the intentions used behind it. The word is tossed around all the time everywhere. You will not be able to get rid of it, banning it will only increase the use of it.

I read an article, "Publisher Tinkers With Twain", by Julie Bosman. The article was about replacing the word "nigger" to "slave" in the famous Huckleberry Finn. "Alan Gribben, a professor of English at Auburn University at Montgomery, approached the publisher with the idea in July" ( Publisher Tinkers With Twain, 1 ). I find this idea to be ridiculous. In the book the word was used to show readers social attitudes in the mid-19th century. If this word is not used, how are readers going to learn why the word is wrong? "The news set off a storm of angry online commentary, scolding the publisher for “censorship” and “political correctness,” or simply for the perceived sin of altering the words of a literary icon" ( Publisher Tinkers With Twain, 1-2 ). This certainly is a form of censorship. The word is not being used in inappropriate ways, its used for educational purposes. "“I’m not offended by anything in ‘Huck Finn,’ ” said Elizabeth Absher, an English teacher at South Mountain High School in Arizona. “I am a big fan of Mark Twain, and I hear a lot worse in the hallway in front of my class.”" ( Publisher Tinkers With Twain, 2 ). "Nigger" is not the worst word out there. And like I said earlier, I believe that it isnt the...