Kelly's Final Thoughts

N-WORD AND SLAVE ARE NOT THE SAME

Kelly Welsh

After being interpreted by a plentiful, diverse crowd, varying from sophisticated, highly-educated professors to typical, laissez-faire high school students, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is universally known as one of the greatest books in American Literature, and it is one of the most controversial books as well. Written about 194 years ago, the story is significantly dependent on the modern readers who interpret it.  What comes to mind when you hear the word “slave”? Now, what comes to mind when you hear the word “nigger”?  The first word describes a fairly general condition used throughout the world to expose a person as legal property.  However, the second word is more derogative, aggressive, and shamefully dehumanizing to all dark skinned people’s social, political, and economic capabilities; it serves as a direct association to American History.  As further expressed throughout the novel, the meanings behind these particular words are greater than the words themselves. People cannot replace the n-word with slave because it takes away the dominant meaning of the word.  In The New York Times, Francie Prose blatantly shared her opinion that, “’nigger’ and ‘slave’ are not synonyms by any stretch of the imagination.  Jim’s problem is not that he is called a ‘nigger’ but that he is chattel who can be freed or returned to his master” (Prose 1).  In agreement, the problem is not the use of the n-word.  Rather, the problem is the maturity level of the students who try to read it and the intellectual level of the master of the classroom, or teacher, who assists in interpreting the novel.  Personally, I think that the argument disputing Twain’s vocabulary usage is preposterous; the n-word should be left in the novel all 219 times mentioned, or it cannot be claimed with the emotionally based intentions as Twain intended.

            As a part of our American Identity, the n-word should be left in the novel because these actions cannot be denied from happening. Fingers are not being pointed at any specific people, because it was a characteristic of our beloved country; white families commonly used niggers on a daily basis.  Morrison exploited that “Twains black characters were most certainly based on real people. His nonfiction observations of and comments on ‘actual’ blacks are full of references to their guilelessness, intelligence, creativity, wit, caring, etc.” (Morrison 156).  Jim, contradicting the stereotypical n-word, was compassionate, sympathetic, and relatively smart in worldly scenarios.  In return, Huck felt the need to be kind and respect Jim.  For example, Huck would pull pranks on Jim, but realize they were wrong and apologize: “[i]t was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way” (Twain 78). Rather than banning the novel, educators should use tips and tricks to fully explain its morally increasing lessons, especially in regards to the relationship and friendly feelings between Huck and Jim.  Huck Finn accurately portrays this time in American History, through the least humble way of analyzing Twain's language. 

            So what makes “nigger” worse than “slave” anyway? Inserting “slave” might allow more people to read Huck Finn, especially in schools, and learn the essential lessons of the novel.  However, if people already know what the real word is, it should not be necessary for the word to be changed.  I have noticed that many people with problems teaching Huck Finn in schools are parents or teachers of students who are too young to maturely handle the contexts.  Plus, many “behind the lines” meanings are fairly undistinguishable; I do not think my mind completely comprehend the novel without assistance from my intellectually gifted classmates.  In addition to the famous controversy regarding Twains word choice, there are other improper parts that harsh readers could focus their attention on.  Personally, I wonder why people do not argue the fact that Jim is a slave.  The novel continuously portrays inappropriate slang and jargon, incorrect grammar, unhealthy habits, such as smoking, and an overall disrespect towards the American society.  When Jim says, "Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on'y white genlman dat ever kep' his promise to ole Jim,” he is obviously being looked upon as deficient and empty-headed because he lacks education and proper grammar (Twain 81).  The constant race remarks, white or black, were prominent reminders of society’s mindset.  The story of Huck Finn had a stable impact on my thoughts about American Literature, mainly due to the passionate emotions behind one common, yet completely effective word: nigger.

Citations:

Prose, Francine. "Why Is 'Slave' Less Offensive?" The New York Times. N.p., 24 June 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/05/does-one-word-change-huckleberry-finn/why-is-the-use-of-slave-in-twains-work-less-problematic>.

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Edited by Shelley Fisher Fiskin; introduction by Toni Morrison, afterword by Victor Doyno. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.