Reading Huckleberry Finn
As you read Huckleberry Finn, think about the different background material you have reviewed. Do you think it has been effective in preparing you for the novel? You are likely to find it jarring to see so many instances of the “N” word. In light of what you have now read about the word, how is it used in the book? Does Huck use it simply as a negative word for black people, or does it already have, as Kennedy argues today, many different meanings? A less controversial feature of the novel, but for many students an almost equally disruptive one, is the novel’s broad use of vernacular, or nonstandard speech. By choosing an uneducated Midwestern vagabond as his narrator, Twain gives himself license to write in the unvarnished language of frontier America. In an age of genteel publishing, this approach was revolutionary, and many students still find it hard to read today. As you read, give yourself time to get into the rhythm of Huck’s speech, and you are likely to get a greater sense of his meaning as you go along. Audiobooks Many audiobook editions of Huckleberry Finn are available. You may find some at your local library or on such sources as Audible.com. There are also many free versions available online from such providers as Librivox. These volunteer-produced audiobooks tend to be of mixed quality, but two of the better ones are read by Marc Devine and by Mark F. Smith. Try listening to one of them as you read. Does hearing the language out loud help you make sense of the way it is written?
Reading Notes
To help guide your reading and provide a quick check of your progress, we have prepared handouts for you to complete with notes identifying particular phrases and incidents in the novel. If you need an extra copy of these forms, you can download them here: |
