Huck Finn Experienced?

1.   Have you read the novel –Huck Finn- before?  If so where and why?

No, this is my first time reading Huck Finn.

Answer either 2 or 3 depending on your answer to 1.

2.   If you have not read Huck Finn before, surely you know something about the novel and character from references and allusions in popular culture.  What do you know about either the novel and/or character?

I have never heard about this book since I am from China. I know nothing about it but I think it shows American popular culture.

3.   What was your response to reading Huck Finn, and what do you remember from your reading?  Also, did you actually read the whole novel, or just parts of it?  Did you read Cliff Notes or Monarch Notes instead?

Same as question number 2. But I would like to talk about the reading experience from this time. I had problem understand the texts this time especially comes to Jim. I did actually read the whole novel with keep checking the definition of the words throughout the whole book.

4.   If you were assigned to read Huck Finn in a previous class, either here or in high school, how did your class as a whole react to the novel?  Why do you think your instructor assigned the novel?  How did he or she try to “teach” the novel?

The class shows the opinions about Racism and everyone talks about the personality of Jim. He is the one who influence Huck and show the coming-of-age of Huck. Also the language in Huck is controversial. Sometimes it is confusing but that also shows the real language slaves use at that time. We also have strong reaction about the personality of Huck. He is superstitious and can’t understand Bible, not a Christian at all but at the same time, he has a great heart and his courage and pure shows completely throughout the journey.

5. If you were required to read Huck Finn in a previous class, what sort of assignments were you required to complete, and what exactly did you do during the classes when

Huck Finn was being discussed.

 Sigh. I haven’t read it before.

6. Huck Finn is still one of the most controversial and most banned books in America.  Why is it so controversial? 

  I think it is because it associated with serious racism and the language they use also means racism. The ironic way of criticizing the slavery made it so controversial.

7. Is Huck Finn still relevant to you as college student today?  Should it continue to be taught in college classrooms?

  I don’t think it relates that much. I can’t say that racism doesn’t exist in college, but I think this book exaggerates the truth and people are more unwilling to accept this especially for college student. College students may feel it’s not related to them so they can’t notice the deep meaning of this book. The words Mark want to express through this book.

  But I still think it should continue to be taught in college because it s a good piece of literature if you read it carefully. We can see the reflection of the society of that period of time through this book. Read the cruel and the warm part of different people.

8.  The general consensus among critics is that Huck Finn is a brilliant and powerful novel, but also a flawed and problematic novel.  What do you think might be flawed and/or problematic about the novel?

  I think the flawed part including bad grammar, coarse manner. The kinds of tone give people low moral and atheism. We don’t encourage superstition now but Huck is really superstitious.

  Some of the word they use very often is offensive like “nigger”. It will remove the original meaning of the book if it is being removed but at the same time, it’s not good to keep it either.