The more and more I thought about my recent WTF Alert the more angry I became.
To read my newspaper editorial about why we should be concerned about publishers changing historical classics like Huck Finn, click HERE.
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011
AN EDITORIAL: SANITIZING THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL
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What do I think? We can not alter historical words either said or written to suit the moral majority. That tampers with history, free speech and free press. I am apaled at this occurrence and bet Mr Twain woukd use far worse words that those if he were alive today.
ReplyDeleteMy 2.5 cents worth!!
Bah! I tried to post a comment on the article but couldn't. So here's my comment:
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with your "WTF" reaction to this Ant. How asinine that anyone would want to change...history, and that's exactly what they're doing here.
"...literature — be it fiction or non-fiction — exists to not only tell stories, but to capture and record accurate moments in time." This line sums it all up quite clearly. I so hope someone sees the light of day and fixes this issue before it goes way too far.
Fabulous article Ant!
All valid points, Ant. I think it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of literature (at least the sort of literature with words that MAY be considered offensive).
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has taught books with the n-word, including Huck Finn (often with many students objecting, at times...loudly), I say...go ahead--alter it--, at least for high schools. Those students who take an interest in the book and/or history can do more research, read the original so forth.
ReplyDeleteHuck Finn may be a bit overrated,even as sort of PC classic, though there are a few powerful scenes--the Colonel, or the feud with the Grangerfords, Huck's pap, a few river scenes etc. The hick dialect tends to be overwhelming and not very funny, IMHE--they're probably better off reading Moby Dick (which is ...somewhat PC in a sense as well---consider Queequeg and the crew of the Pequod).
Grapes of Wrath, IIRC did not have racist speech (apart maybe from "okies"). The conservatives and biblethumpers wanted it censored for a few somewhat racy scenes (including the last one, where Rose of sharon, er, gives some milk to an old man), and because of the slightly leftist content.
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