Transforming Literature

The idea that a book doesn’t end when you finish the last page may not only apply to the reader, but to the writer’s role in the novel’s creation. The new edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which omits both “nigger” and “injun” seems to be one of those cases in which the author never saw his complete novel. According to the publisher, NewSouth Books, the new edition will "counter the 'pre-emptive censorship' that Dr Gribben observes has caused these important works of literature to fall off curriculum lists worldwide." Even though I believe texts should be left alone for readers to read and interpret in their own, I consider that if the objective of such changes helps the distribution of the novel worldwide such changes must be made.

Benedicte Page, author of New Huckleberry Finn edition censors 'n-word', exposes both points of view as she includes Dr. Churchwell’s reflection on this matter: “These changes mean the book ceases to show the moral development of his character. They have no merit and are misleading to readers. The whole point of literature is to expose us to different ideas and different eras, and they won't always be nice and benign” (Dr. Sarah Churchwell). Given that Twain captures American society in such form in his novel, I find it difficult to support a change in the language used by the author to depict the time-period’s speech. The possibility that the original version of The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn will be lost due to the new edition is menacing but it’s a risk literature will have to take.