Susquehannock High School

123 West Faux Street

Boston, TX 43212
Phone or FAX (614) 428-2228

11 April 2005

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Ersatz

456 Bogus Drive

Boston, TX 43212

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ersatz:

Starting next Monday, the eighteenth of April, your student will begin a study of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As you well know, this great American classic has been shrouded by controversy since it was first published in 1885.

There are many aspects of Huck that make it controversial, such as Huck’s battles with religion or his rebellious streak. Yet, I believe what most concerns parents is the book’s rampant use of the word, “nigger.” Understandably, most parents would not want their child exposed to such a foul, hateful word. Children are taught to regard all people with dignity and respect, so naturally they shouldn’t read a book that appears to be very racist against African Americans, yes?

I ask you to consider a few things. First of all, one must take into account that Huck is set in the 1830s-1840s, a time when the N-word was a widely-used term to describe

any black person. By choosing to write his novel in the vernacular, Twain could not avoid using it. Therefore, the word is not there in order to offend anyone, and it does not make Twain a racist. He was simply trying to make the speech in Huck as realistic as possible.

Also, one must realize that Huck is considered a great work of American literature for a reason. It is bursting with moral value, making it well worth the read. Our study will help students to clearly see these morals and appreciate them. For example, if one reads the entire book it is obvious that Twain believes racism is wrong. If I am successful in getting students to see such things within the pages of Huck, they should be able to cope with the N-word even if they do find it offensive.

Yet I want to make it clear to students that this word is not to be used today as casually as it was in Huck Finn’s time. The word will not be spoken aloud in the classroom, which I’m sure many will appreciate.

If you are still hesitant to let your student read Huck, feel free to contact me. Arrangements can be made for him or her to study an alternate novel if necessary.

Sincerely,

Rachel Follis

English II