The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn s3

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a work that appears frequently on two lists – “The List of Banned Books” and the “Top 100 Books College Freshmen Are Expected to Have Read.” The issues of race and racism presented in the novel are a large part of the reason why it is so frequently banned – but they are also a large part of why Huck Finn is viewed with such reverence by so many. Please read the article “Why Huck Finn Belongs in the Classroom” with me before responding to the questions. One of our “post-reading” activities for this novel will ask you to revisit this article. More specifically, we will re-assess the points Professor Chadwick has made, and see if you truly a) agree or disagree that the novel should be taught, and b) if Huck Finn does what she claims it does to open dialogues about race and racism.

What points does Professor Chadwick make to support her central argument?

How do you feel about what is being said? Do you currently agree or disagree with Chadwick’s argument? Why? (Keep in mind that your opinion can change once you’ve finished reading the book.)

How do you predict you will feel after you have read the book? How do you feel, based on what you’ve read so far (a fairly small portion – and one that doesn’t hint at the ending, which many critics have cited in order to criticize Twain)?