Scholars debate new version of Twain classic without N-word

A new version of the iconic "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" will purge the N-word from its pages, creating a national literary debate about whether Mark Twain's liberal use of the racial slur is too offensive today or an integral part of a scathing satire of racial attitudes in 19th-century America.

The N-word is used 219 times in the original, published in 1884, but a new version to be released next month will replace it with the word slave, as well and change "Injun" to "Indian." The new version will join -- not replace -- Twain's original in school and city libraries in the area.

Academicians and librarians locally were largely opposed to the idea. While they said they understood the publisher's intent, most didn't agree with it.

"That novel is a profound critique and criticism of racism," said Christopher Rieger, an assistant professor of English at Southeast Missouri State University. "It is one of the most important and best novels ever produced in American literature," Rieger said. "It doesn't make much sense to toy around with it."

The popular novel is considered a classic by many, noted for its description between Huck and his friend, the slave Jim. The book became popular as a satire of the Southern antebellum society, but it became even more controversial in the 20th century for its coarse language and perceived use of racial stereotypes.

But those behind the new version say what removing the N-word really does is make the novel's message more accessible to more readers, because it no longer contains a painfully destructive and hurtful word that has placed it on banned books list for years.

The editor of the new version is Alan Gribben of Auburn University in Alabama, who has been a Twain scholar for four decades. When he was teaching literature classes and reading Twain, he would substitute the N-word with "slave" to put his students at ease.

"There was an audible sigh of relief when they saw that the N-word was not going to be used," Gribben said.

Gribben was also astonished when a recent lecture tour drew teachers who told him they were reluctant, or not allowed, to teach Twain because of the slur.

"It's a shame this word has overshadowed these great works," he said. "I think that word is the only barrier. It's such a deplorable word. I don't think there's another word so potently and negatively charged in the American lexicon."

Besides, he said, "slave" works fine as a substitute, still evoking the inconsequential status blacks suffered as slaves.

"I'm not advocating for all my readers to do away with their original Mark Twain texts," he said. "I'm only trying to improve the situation that has come to my attention. But if the word is a problem for some, this version alleviates that problem."

But the move doesn't sit well with Julia Jorgensen, the librarian at Cape Girardeau Central High School. She said she will have one copy of the new version, but she still prefers the original. "Huck Finn" is required reading for advanced placement students who are taking college preparatory classes.

"Although I understand and agree that the N-word is vicious and hurtful, I also feel that affords an opportunity for dialogue so students understand that when Mark Twain wrote this, he was pointing out prejudice and he wanted people to get angry," she said. "Mark Twain wanted people to know that racism was wrong. You take that word out and you lose part of the purpose of the book."

Jorgensen said she has had students complain, but she sees that as a teaching opportunity to explain Twain's purpose.

"As long as I have the privilege of being a librarian here, I will fight to keep books like 'Huckleberry Finn' on our shelves," she said.

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