Anna

Censorship Destroys the Meaning: A Response to Fancine Prose's "Why is Slave Less Offensive?"
Francine Prose is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Bard College and lives in New York. She is the author of several adult and teen fiction novels, nonfiction books, and children books. She is of Asian descent.

            In Prose’s response to the use of the “n- word" in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, she argues that changing the word “nigger” to “slave” is no less offensive. Just as “nigger” suggests that African Americans are unequal to whites, “slave” recalls an institution that denied African Americans their humanity. She suggests that Twain’s use of the “n-word” makes the novel all the more educational as it forces both student and teacher to confront the racism of the time in which Huck Finn is placed. This confrontation is most effectively spurred by the discomfort surrounding the “n-word”. She argues that Twain’s language choices are not only intentional, but also meaningful. Prose writes, “If language is a bridge connecting us to the mind of the writer and the historical moment he is describing, then to tinker with that language . . . undermines not only the design but the solidity of that bridge” (Prose Paragraph 1). By “tinker[ing]” with Twain’s carefully placed words, one is rewriting his message. In the end, she concedes that Huck’s moral journey holds value, and to provide a censored reading of Huck Finn in schools and libraries is not entirely bad. She feels that a censored view of the book still allows for some learning and hopefully whets the readers appetite to fully delve into Twain’s meaning by pursuing the uncensored reading of the novel.

I disagree with Prose assumption that a censorship of Huck Finn will bring more people to read the book and inspire them to then read the uncensored version in order to understand the story’s full message. She recognizes that to alter Twain’s carefully placed words is to change the very meaning of each sentence in which the “n-word” is used. As the article states, the “n-word” is used 219 times. To change the meaning of 219 sentences is to completely rearrange the novel’s message and run the risk of destroying its purpose all together. Twain explicitly writes in the explanatory that each word and phrase has been thought out. If the book is censored, Twain is no longer the author, rather, those publishing the censored version plagiarize by writing his story and robbing it of its meaning. The reader is no longer able to appreciate that there is a deeper message. Prose is correct when she says that “slave” is more offensive than “nigger” but society has heard the term “slave” so often that it is no longer repulsive. The discomfort surrounding the word “nigger” causes the reader to pause and truly delve into the truths and horrors of slavery. To recognize that Americans once used such an offensive word to belittle and demean a group of people who are today seen as equal to whites, is shocking. Huck Finn’s seemingly excessive use of such an uncomfortable word helps bring about this recognition and forces the reader to confront one of the ugliest periods in American history. To forget or dumb down this past by refusing to use a word that evokes its memory is to deny students the opportunity to fully understand the past that has formed their present and future. Without this understanding there is no catalyst pushing a student towards more reading.

            I feel that the use of the “n-word” is not only important, but a crucial part of one’s initial reading. Throughout the novel, Twain is careful not to have Huck speak blatantly against slavery or about the rights denied to African Americans. His use of a word that speaks volumes of the period’s racism is his message, repeated and drilled into the reader’s head. Huck is struggling against a Southern history that he feels compelled to honor. His use of the word “nigger” juxtaposed to his increasingly humane and moral actions towards Jim highlight the struggle of the period and the innate message of the book. This is perfectly represented in Huck’s apology to Jim after tricking him following the fog storm. He states, “It 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 afterward” (Twain Chapter 15). Huck shows racism through his use of the word “nigger” and his struggle to “humble himself” to someone he clearly sees as less honorable. However, his actions show a morality and a desire to treat others, even a “nigger”, with kindness. He is “never sorry for it afterward”, suggesting a change and a recognition that perhaps a “nigger” is not unworthy of humane treatment. This struggle and the triumph of this moment would not be clear, however, without the use of the word “nigger”. Effectively detracting from the beauty of Huck’s moral journey—the very thing Prose feels a reader will pick up in a censored reading of the novel. The discomfort of the word pushes the reader to recognize how little Huck thinks of Jim. The shock that he feels the need to apologize to someone so low is only fully felt when coupled with such a disgusting word.

It is the brilliant juxtaposition throughout the novel that makes Huck Finn an American masterpiece. In dealing with sensitive American history, the novel confronts the struggle of the African American to achieve the American Dream and explores the idea of freedom. Twain skillfully works to engage both Southern and Northern readers by not clearly stating a view on the matter of slavery or civil rights. He presents Southern life at the time of Huck Finn with accuracy and truth. It is up to the reader to analyze and interpret these truths and it is the general opinion of modern Americans that the truths behind racism and slavery reveal that both realities are wrong and a blight to American history. This revelation is crucial to the education of American citizens as it forces them to know, understand, and respect the past. The opportunity for discussion to take place in the classroom between classmates and teachers furthers the impact of the message. An integral part of this message and its lesson is the shock felt when confronted with this truth of American history. To gradually approach this message through numbed language is to deny a student the true lesson.