‘Huck Finn’ Lesson

* Re: “Censorship Story Is Far From a Finished Work” (Oct. 1). The novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is not a children’s story, contrary to [the] Disney interpretation. While it was stated that Twain believed slavery to be abhorrent, Twain was from a world which condoned slavery, while he himself was fighting an inner voice which did not see the humanity in it. This was his moral dilemma. Samuel Clemens, the author’s real name, had several masks: Mark Twain, the pseudonym, and Huckleberry Finn. If read carefully, one can peel away these masks and listen to Clemens, as he himself attempts to respond to society’s inhumanity. The novel traces the conscience of a very confused Finn, one who loves Jim and one who lives in a world where blacks are property, not people. Jim is given one of the most significant roles in the novel, and this, too, is Clemens.

If educators are to teach this novel, it should be done so with many high-level concepts, such as racism, Southern history and African history prior to the Middle Passage voyage. I’m sure Clemens did not write this novel for Huck Finn to be glorified as a rebel boy such as Tom Sawyer. He was meant to be taught with responsibility. There is no reason to ban a book which should not be taught until educators and students are ready to tackle the social ills of yesterday--and today.

CATHY WARWICK

Santa Ana