Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Response to Essay Prompts
I am going to use the "They Say/I Say" template to engage in the conversation about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, focusing on Jonathan Arac's critical essay. I agree with Arac, that the book is sort of "loaded," and seen as an idol; and while it may be a "wonderful book," we should be able to see and acknowledge its flaws as well. Arac presents a sound argument, discussing the novel's excessive use of the "n-word," which by today's standards, ought to be unacceptable in schools. Also, I am going to discuss the third topic, because Arac addresses it in his essay. I really don't think that Huck Finn is worthy of continued debate and discussion in general-subject matter English classes because it is so outdated, and so excessively uses a taboo racist term. I can see its purpose in a more focused class, maybe if you are an English major and you are studying American authors of that time period, for example. But in junior high schools? No way. The blatant racism in the novel just does not have a place in today's society, and should not be tolerated in our classrooms. I think that when this book is taught in schools, it presents a huge problem, and we need to be careful not to buy into the idolatry and just accept its flaws because a bunch of "great literary minds" have decided it is the "quintessential Great American Novel."
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7 comments:
i like how you agree that we have to notice the flaws before we fix anything or talk about anything to change in the book. i think that you could maybe just focus on one topic but if not, its a great start.
They read this book in my high school every two years. I believe it's the 10th and 9th grade classes combined and it was never a problem. I think it just depends on the maturity level of the people reading the text, and I guess 10th and 9th graders must have some if they were able to read this without any problems.
You make really good points though :)
Iinteresting we are writing about the same topic but debating from opposite sides of the spectrum. I think the book should be talked about in schools. One topic to address for recognition of the other side of the argument could be the historical context of the book. I am really going to use historical realism as one of the strongest supports to talking about the book in school. So it would be great if you could find reason against historical realsim.
Thanks
Kendall
It really does depend on the maturity level of the students reading the book. Another huge factor is the way the teacher presents the book, and the controversies surrounding it. I feel that if it is presented in a certain way, then almost any class can be mature about it, but you can't be sure that it will always be presented in such a way. That might clear it up a little bit.
heyy yes im doing topic number one. any questions. shoot them. the book was written in the time period of 1885. his essays were written in today's where we doin't use the N work all the time like they user to
It seems like you feel strongly about this subject, which means your essay will be good. I disagree with you on the point that it should not be taught in schools. I think that middle school and even early high school may be too early to read Huck Finn, but it gives a great insight into the childhood of a boy from that time period and deserves to be read.
I don't think it should be taken out of schools entirely. I think it has a better place in more focused English and critical thinking classes than it does in general English 1A-type classes.
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