If there was one thing that stuck with me from my high school English class was that when it came to literature, there were no accidents. If something was written in a story, it was written there for a reason and it wasn’t meant to be tampered with.
When I heard that Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was going to be re-written, I was enraged. Granted, the “N-word” and “Injun” are not words that describe my nationality, but I still don’t think it’s necessary to rewrite Twain. I’m Polish and I have read books about the Holocaust in which they refer to the Polish people as “Poles” or “Polack”. These are derogatory names for the Polish people, yet I take no offense to them. What I understand about them, that most people don’t seem to get, is the time period they were written in. When The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written in 1884, it was not as big of a deal to use those particular words that cause so much controversy today. There are slang words that were considered “hip” in the 70’s, yet we don’t rewrite them out of movies. How many times have we watched Scooby Doo? Whenever the Mystery Gang says “groovy” we laugh at how funny their lingo was back then, but we don’t have writers going in to change it to something more modern.
I think that it’s wrong for a masterpiece that has been inducted into the literary hall of fame should be rewritten for political correctness. I may seem apathetic to the people’s feelings to which these words offend. I mean no disrespect, but I just don’t understand how people can expect a classic to be rewritten for what seems to be oversensitivity. I understand that people see them as offensive by today’s standards, but the purpose of that book is not to read it during our time, but to see what life was like during the time that it was written. Therefore we should read the story by the standards of the time in which it was written, not the standards of today. If they were changed, then history would be misrepresented.
The modifications of the “N-word” to “slave” and “injun” to “native person” seem more offensive to me. Not all of the black citizens during the time in which the book was written were slaves. To me, that type of generalization is more offensive. Even just putting offensiveness aside, isn’t this editing of an already published, studied, and adored book an infringement upon Twain’s Constitutional rights? As Americans, we have a write to free speech and freedom of the press. So, if we edit out a particular word, is that violating our constitutional rights?
The controversial words sole purpose is not to offend people, but to accurately reflect what life was like in that particular part of literary time. These words are our history. They reflect what our country was like in the 1800’s and to disregard them as insignificant pieces of our history; that, I think would be more disrespectful. We can’t just go around editing our shortfalls. These controversial words show that we are human and we have our flaws, but also to look how far we have come from there.
Should these changes be made? If The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can be rewritten, what’s going to stop other classics from being rewritten? Are these discriminatory feelings justified, or are they just the marks of oversensitivity? All in all, I would say that Mark Twain is rolling over in his grave right now.
My question to the class is this: do you think that a literary masterpiece, that has been accepted, read, studied and revered through decades, should be rewritten to be more politically correct, when the original intention of the books wasn’t to disrespect, but to accurately reflect the time period in which it was written?
Source:
http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/d1d0b64c-5dab-4d39-9510-7d4ddab8a026.jpg
When I heard that Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was going to be re-written, I was enraged. Granted, the “N-word” and “Injun” are not words that describe my nationality, but I still don’t think it’s necessary to rewrite Twain. I’m Polish and I have read books about the Holocaust in which they refer to the Polish people as “Poles” or “Polack”. These are derogatory names for the Polish people, yet I take no offense to them. What I understand about them, that most people don’t seem to get, is the time period they were written in. When The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written in 1884, it was not as big of a deal to use those particular words that cause so much controversy today. There are slang words that were considered “hip” in the 70’s, yet we don’t rewrite them out of movies. How many times have we watched Scooby Doo? Whenever the Mystery Gang says “groovy” we laugh at how funny their lingo was back then, but we don’t have writers going in to change it to something more modern.
I think that it’s wrong for a masterpiece that has been inducted into the literary hall of fame should be rewritten for political correctness. I may seem apathetic to the people’s feelings to which these words offend. I mean no disrespect, but I just don’t understand how people can expect a classic to be rewritten for what seems to be oversensitivity. I understand that people see them as offensive by today’s standards, but the purpose of that book is not to read it during our time, but to see what life was like during the time that it was written. Therefore we should read the story by the standards of the time in which it was written, not the standards of today. If they were changed, then history would be misrepresented.
The modifications of the “N-word” to “slave” and “injun” to “native person” seem more offensive to me. Not all of the black citizens during the time in which the book was written were slaves. To me, that type of generalization is more offensive. Even just putting offensiveness aside, isn’t this editing of an already published, studied, and adored book an infringement upon Twain’s Constitutional rights? As Americans, we have a write to free speech and freedom of the press. So, if we edit out a particular word, is that violating our constitutional rights?
The controversial words sole purpose is not to offend people, but to accurately reflect what life was like in that particular part of literary time. These words are our history. They reflect what our country was like in the 1800’s and to disregard them as insignificant pieces of our history; that, I think would be more disrespectful. We can’t just go around editing our shortfalls. These controversial words show that we are human and we have our flaws, but also to look how far we have come from there.
Should these changes be made? If The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can be rewritten, what’s going to stop other classics from being rewritten? Are these discriminatory feelings justified, or are they just the marks of oversensitivity? All in all, I would say that Mark Twain is rolling over in his grave right now.
My question to the class is this: do you think that a literary masterpiece, that has been accepted, read, studied and revered through decades, should be rewritten to be more politically correct, when the original intention of the books wasn’t to disrespect, but to accurately reflect the time period in which it was written?
Source:
http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/d1d0b64c-5dab-4d39-9510-7d4ddab8a026.jpg
In my opinion, no published form of literature should be rewritten - if it was able to be publish, it should be fine. Now, it may not be fine for all audiences, but what book is? Editing the text after the fact is a complete disrespect for the author, let alone the history.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of being politically correct really irritates me. I believe rewriting a masterpiece from the 1800’s just to be more “politically correct” would be disrespectful and insulting. America was founded on grounds of free speech so people should be able to say what they please (in moderation). Of course somebody shouldn’t go around bashing certain races, but at the same time critics speak their mind about movies and books all the time without fearing the politically correct label; its their job. People are aloud to have their opinions but tampering with somebody’s work of art because people feel its insulting is wrong. I believe people have too much pride in America.
ReplyDeleteOf course old pieces of literature are going to be worded differently. The human race is changing every day. I think history is heritage and it should be left alone and cherished.
I find it ridiculous that they're going to rewrite one of the greatest stories in American history just because it has words that are nowadays considered offensive. Like you said, we have freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and rewriting it violates those rights. This isn't 'editing', I consider it to be more of a defacement.
ReplyDeleteI believe that classics should not be touched. People today like to start fights just for the purpose of fighting over something. If this were an actual cause then fine, they can fight all they want. But what i do not understand is why people are trying to change the words when there is absolutely no need too. I agree with the fact that these words were not meant to offend, but to really depict what the time was like back when the book was written. I also find it extremely disrespectful to the author that people would have the nerve to change his words. Who are we to say that what was written was wrong? If something was accept back when it was written, why all of a sudden is it not accepted now? i believe peoples words should not be changed.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with rewriting master pieces of great past writers. Changing the words that were already written, messes with the integrity of the piece, making it different from the original intention. I completely agree that people are over sensitive about terms used to show the context of a certain time period, I have never really thought that being politically correct was necessary when someone is writing their own creative work. They have the right to say exactly what they want to say and have it portrayed in its original form.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not think people should be aloud to rewrite literary master pieces to be more politically correct. Just like you mentioned, if the re wrote some of the pieces we wouldn't know how the people really lived back then. We would be reading what is acceptable in our time now, the 21st century. It just ridiculous, I feel like people have nothing better to do with their time. For instance another example that was recently brought up in the past few years is Santa Clause saying HoHoHo. Santa Clause can't say that anymore he must say HaHaHa. Really how long has Santa being saying HoHoHo!? For Years!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you have to say. Mark Twain’s work, for example is great and the diction he uses is not to be insulting but to accurately give an account and feel for the time period. Yes, times have changed and we no longer use the n-word or other words used in other time periods, but that does not mean that literary works should be changed. The diction used in literature are what give readers an idea of what time frame to put themselves when they go to read the book. By changing the word choice of the original author to modern terms is like changing that story, or taking a piece of the story’s setting away.
ReplyDeleteNo book that has been published should be re-written, period. That book is one of a kind and it wouldn't be right to re-do it. Not everyone is going to agree with every word in the book, but still they have no right to change it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that classic works of literature should not be tampered in the slightest bit. The original versions of every piece of literature display the culture and personality of the author and the time period in which the piece of literature was written in. Reading the original version of a piece of literature forces readers to think critically about the wording that is being used and what point the author is trying to get across. I have also read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and I think it is one of the greatest pieces of American Literature. Changing it in any way, shape, or form would greatly decrease the value of the story.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, these books should not be rewritten. There are a part of history and it loses their integrity and value when you change words around. I believe it wasn't meant to be offensive and I think the authors of such books did not see these words to be a problem in the future or even consider them to be offensive nowadays because it was not purposefully written that way. People nowadays are always using the discrimination card just to get what they want. We are a society that focuses on the needs of the self versus the community. Each is entitled to their own opinion and if they find it discriminatory, don't read it. If they change the words to be politically correct, wouldn't it still be offensive for you to read it? So in other words, it is offensive, because that person makes it offensive to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that any work of literature should not be edited in any way, shape, or form. in my opinion the editing of anyones work without consent is a violation of that persons constitutional right. A person should have the ability to write anything they want on paper, leaving individuals to chose whether or not they will read that authors writing. As the author stated, the language and writing style used in classic literature reflects the time and place in which the work was written. Although the language used may be offensive to some, it serves as an accurate cage of the public opinion and stereotypes of the time demonstrating if nothing else just how far we have come as a society.
ReplyDeleteI have personally read Huck Fin and have heard about this controversy before. I do not think that a classic should be rewritten because there is a bad word in it or it disrespects someone. Wake up people, the world is full of corruption and bad words and that can never be changed. Who cares if there is a bad word in a book that high schoolers will read. Chances are, they have heard it before. Huck Fin is a classic that should not be changed because it is a classic. It reflects perfect ly the time period meant to be portrayed and that should not be lightened in any way.
ReplyDeleteA classic earned the title of a classic for a reason, don’t mess with it. It confuses me when people living in today’s day and age take offense of things their ancestors were called or stereotyped as decades ago. Please, stop pretending like these terms actually offend you and go pick a fight somewhere else. That was probably very insensitive, I just have a hard time taking people seriously who claim the use of “injun” offends them and they are probably no more than 20-30% Native American. If it bothers you that much, choose another book to read.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t agree more with what you wrote about in this blog. I think it’s absolutely absurd to change what has been written in the past. We don’t go back and change history books because they present uncomfortable ideas and facts. The words used in the classic books you mention should not have to be changed. I agree with you that there was no intention of disrespecting any specific race or culture when saying the N-word or “injun.” The fact that those words were commonly used during the time period of the writing of this book cannot be helped and should not, by any means, have to be changed. I, also, do not fall under the category of the cultures targeted by the terms in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, so I’m interested to read the other blog comments and the opinions of my classmates.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, literary masterpieces should not be modified, transformed or rewritten to be more politically correct. By changing his already published piece of literature, you are not only taking away, as mentioned, the authors constitutional rights but also the time frame in which the piece was written in. The diction and the language used in Mark Twains novel gives the reader the idea of being in that time period and what it was like in that era that we were never able to witness. I am sure that Twains intention in writing his novel was in no way trying to offend anyone, but to show the audience how times have changed. I do agree that by adding these modifications, they are misrepresenting history as well.
ReplyDeleteNot only should the book be protected by the freedom of speech, but it is a representation of our great country. The story provides a fictional view of the South in the years following the Civil War. It shows the attitude southerners showed toward the North, and how some people took advantage of a war torn South. Twain provided a creative, youthful look into the old South that may never be equaled again. That is why it should never be changed.
ReplyDeleteI think that classic pieces of literature should not be rewritten to be more politically correct. It seems like, compared to the times that when our parents were our age there was no such thing as politically correct and now-a-days it seems like everything has to be politically correct or else someone is sued.
ReplyDeleteThis book should remained unchanged. Changing it would simply ruin the story. It was made that way for a reason and thats why its a classic, because its made the way it is, taking even a sentence out would be unjust. This book has been read by millions of American kids and has had an impact on many peoples lifes. To change this book at all would be almost as bad as changing up the Harry Potter books now-a-days.... It simply shouldnt happen.
ReplyDeleteNo, i don't believe literature should be edited to be more politically correct. Literature is an art form. you do not see people going around fixing paintings and sculpture to cover nudity or obscene depictions. they are important parts of the art timeline and should not be edited or "fixed."
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. No book should be rewritten. The book is in important literature piece in history and I think that it has to stay that way. There will be people that don't like it but I still don't think you should change the book
ReplyDeleteIf we take out all of the politically controversial material out of this masterpiece, we should take the word pagan, sinner, and heathen out of the bible. As an Agnostic, that offends me. In fact, we should take Under God out of the pledge since that offends me as well. Why is the word God on our money? We should take that out too.
ReplyDeleteDo I really believe any of this? No. Because even though I may not believe in God the way others do, it was important to our country at the time of it's foundation. Yes, it may not be as important now but it's the history of influence that means the most. Whether I pledge to the flag using God or not, I will do it with pride considering that's what drove our founding fathers to establish a nation where we can worship whom ever we please.
I wouldn't care if it weren't a "literary masterpiece." If you write something that is supposed to represent a certain time period then it should. I absolutely hate political correctness and this new cry baby mentality that everyone has. Like really grow a pair. Unfortunately in today society you can't do anything without offending someone and I mean anything. So If your going to offend someone for no reason in the first place why not just go all out and say and do what ever you damn well please. There shouldn't be any censorship because somebody's feelings are hurt. If this is how we operated then then we wouldn't have the freedoms that we have today.
ReplyDeleteAs stated by many before, media should not be re-done just to be politically correct. It doesn't even matter what time the media was published in. It is the test of time in which media gets its fame and glory. With media being rewritten every decade or so, the time frame in which it was originally published would feel like it was never there. In this case the history and tradition of time can be potentially lost because of this.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with you. When I attended public school our English books were not edited for political correctness, and rightfully so. The works should be printed as they were written, Americans have a freedom of speech. It is important to not let political correctness trump our freedoms.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of these masterpieces should ever be rewritten because they were made for a reason. I wouldn't like it if someone was taking my original work and "fixing" it to make it better or more "correct." I would have written it as correct as I intended it to be, so it should be left alone.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. It is truly a shame that it is being changed. The original is his own piece of work. It would be considered insane to go back and change a piece of art which might be considered inappropriate. I believe Mark Twain's book deserves the same respect.
ReplyDeleteI felt angered when I heard someone wanted to change, or re-write the Pledge of Allegiance to where "one nation under God" was not included. I say that people who try and redo what our Nation previously came up for this country should look at themselves and ask if they are human. The same goes for people who want to re-write books that seem more "politically correct". The whole point in writing a book is to get your thoughts and ideas out to the world. The idea of "freedom of speech" is certainly written in many book, and stories by various authors. Changing the context of an author's story is like trying to swap the head from Lady Liberty into a person that doesn't say anything negative to non-white people. This country was founded on freedom, so freedom should be allowed in the writings that people create. When you re-write someone else's work to make it more "appealing" to everyone, then it distorts the meaning of what the author tries to play out in the story. Many authors like it when people debate over what the author means in a story whether it is a word that has many philosophical meanings, or if it is a word that describes a time that no one understands fully. Either way trying to re-write another person's story to make it more politically stable is nothing more than plagiarism.
ReplyDeleteI am adamant about books staying the way they were originally written. Indeed, an old novel is a relic of history. If you do not want to read Huck Finn, then do not make it required reading. The whole point of Huck Finn is to learn about historic southern society. "Nigger," is very frowned upon and degrading, but how are we supposed to learn from our mistakes if we just rewrite them?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that any classics should be rewritten. People who have problems with books already have them put on the banned book list, but to change the words of the writer is changing what the author is trying to teach you. We should be keeping these books exactly as they are so we can keep the window to the past and see what it was like back in that day and age.
ReplyDelete