Huck Finn Experience

1.     Have you read the novel –Huck Finn- before?  If so where and why?

Yes. I read it for high school - sophomore year.

Answer either 2 or 3 depending on your answer to 1.

2. If you have not read Huck Finn before, surely you know something about the novel and character from references and allusions in popular culture.  What do you know about either the novel and/or character?

2.     What was your response to reading Huck Finn, and what do you remember from your reading?  Also, did you actually read the whole novel, or just parts of it?  Did you read Cliff Notes or Monarch Notes instead?

I really enjoyed this novel the first time I read it. To be honest, I didn’t remember much except the general plot (i.e. Huck + Jim + Raft), but it all came back to me as I read this second time around. And, contrary to The Scarlet Letter and East of Eden from the same year, I actually made it all the way through this one without sparknotes.

3.     If you were assigned to read Huck Finn in a previous class, either here or in high school, how did your class as a whole react to the novel?  Why do you think your instructor assigned the novel?  How did he or she try to “teach” the novel?

I remember many people finding it interesting, but very tough to decipher (especially lots of the slang used). We were assigned it because it coincided with the time period being taught in our US History class, and no matter what people say that book does a mighty fine job of depicting life during the 1830’s. She tried teaching the novel very straightforwardly, admitting that it wasn’t her favorite from the beginning and just tried to get through it. Meh.

5. If you were required to read Huck Finn in a previous class, what sort of assignments were you required to complete, and what exactly did you do during the classes when

Huck Finn was being discussed.

We read 4-5 chapters per night (block scheduling) and had a short quiz on each section of reading. Every class period was an open-ended discussion on topics brought up by the class or the teacher. Notes were optional. That was pretty much it (Boring, right?)

6. Huck Finn is still one of the most controversial and most banned books in America.  Why is it so controversial? 

I think people find it controversial because of the difficult racist ideas brought up in it. In this age, many people think of slavery as a terrible, immoral act (which it was). But back in the day, that was regular life. What was Twain supposed to do, leave it all out? Make his world all pretty with flowers and butterflies? I mean, I understand it’s offensive but its there for a reason.  

7. Is Huck Finn still relevant to you as college student today?  Should it continue to be taught in college classrooms?

Yes. This book is a timeless story that deals with difficult issues Americans once had to face. It is a perfect glimpse into the past and a great coming of age story.

8.  The general consensus among critics is that Huck Finn is a brilliant and powerful novel, but also a flawed and problematic novel.  What do you think might be flawed and/or problematic about the novel?

It doesn’t stick to a steady plot, for one. Also, the absence of Jim for a very crucial section could be considered flawed. I don’t really know, because I don’t consider it flawed at all. What others might see as a flaw I like, especially the rapidly changing plot.