Huckleberry Finn Persuasive Essay

In a newly revived version of Huckleberry Finn, the word "nigger" is replaced with the word slave. The original version of the novel should be taught in the classroom as opposed to the revised version because the word slave changes the meaning of the novel and alters the author’s voice while triggering an emotional response as well as causing crucial literary skills to be eliminated.
Using "nigger" is authentic to the time period of Huckleberry Finn, and is therefore chosen by Twain to represent the generation of the novel. While now a days generations use the words “like” or “you know,” Twain uses "nigger" symbolizes that the word "nigger" was once used as a fill in word. When a writer composes a novel, words are carefully selected. It …show more content…
As Jim is the hero in Huckleberry Finn, people are able to relate to him and his struggles. Despite Jim being called a "nigger" throughout the novel, he remains a noble character, causing the audience to empathize with him. If the word "nigger" is removed, the cruelty and racism Jim endures will be demolished and therefore Jim would lose his credibility of being a noble and good man despite his hardships. The switch from "nigger" to slave causes the reader to lose full measure of Jim’s character” and turn him into a character that Twain did not intend to create (Bauerlein). "Nigger" is a word “that denies humanity, and along with it justice and mercy.” (Matthews) The word slave on the other hand, does not allude to the hardships and degradation Jim faces and thus takes away the compassion felt towards Jim. After the novel, Jim is considered a hero due to his never wavering loyalty towards Huck and his family despite the constant verbal abuse he faces. A slave can be something Jim is born into, or something he can change, but being a "nigger" is not something someone can choose and it is not something born into (Matthews). Jim’s strength and compassion towards others while overcoming the label put upon him establishes him as the hero of the novel, but all that is removed along with the removal of the word

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