Huck Finn Experiences

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

I have read Huck Finn in high school because it was required.

2. 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?

Once I stated reading Huck Finn many of the scenes and characters came back to me, most notably the wreck scene and the King and the Duke. Prior to this all I could remember is the basic plot, and a few of the characters, namely Huck and Jim. I think I read most of the book the first time, but I'm sure there were some cliff notes involved somewhere.

3. 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?

I believe that we read the novel because it is a classic piece of American literature. I believe that we read the original version and did discuss the views and wording of the work. Other than that I can’t recall much more about the lesson.

4. 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.

I wish I could tell you, but I think we also watched the movie.

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

For the most part its conflicting views on slavery and blacks in general. Arguments can be made for either side of the work, but its more about the pure content rather than the meaning behind it that earns its spot on the list.

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

I think that it is still relevant, if nothing else just for the fact that it is a classic piece. But there are many other themes within the book that pertain to college classrooms. Some of these include the coming of age, the humanity of Jim, reflections of society through writing, and determining what is historical fact from historical fiction.

7.  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 in some parts the plot structure is a bit flawed, namely in the ending of the book. Its almost as if such a book needs an ending that will sum up the events and provide some sort of moral guidance to the reader. It is also this lack of moral guidance that I feel makes the book problematic. Some of the things Huck does in the novel are not exactly models all people should follow; yet sometimes they are portrayed as the right thing to do.