Many Southern writers were informed by Twain's ability to weave realism, satire, and local color together. Many scholars classify him as an author who contributed to the evolution between the Gothic of Poe and the Grotesque of O'Connor.
Another aspect of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that carries in the same vein of the Southern Gothic genre is the oppression of African Americans. You can even see evidence of it Scene One of The Glass Menagerie.
In Twain's book, Jim, the ever-faithful and dutiful slave, is depicted by the author with the utmost humanity, while remaining honest in his portrayal of Jim's character as a black male in antebellum America. Through the character of Jim, Twain records the African American experience during this times period. Jim is denied much because of his skin color; however, he stands to loose contact with his own immediate kin. Likewise, Jim faces preconceptions based on his status as a black male. Twain illustrates this point through the relationship between Huck and Jim at various stages throughout the work. Huck comes to view Jim not as a black man, but as his best friend. Due to the trials that they face on the Mississippi River, Huck witnesses Jim's faithful loyalty in the most precarious of situations; thus, Huck is able to cast aside the naturalistic forces that taught him to subordinate African Americans. Instead, Huck comes to view Jim as a endearing companion, a father-figure, and a true friend.
Taking all of this into account, the news came last year that the book would have all language considered insensitive removed from the book.
My question today is:
Why is it problematic to a reading audience to have "offensive" language removed from classic books like "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn"? Does it run the risk of erasing the historical context of the book in the eyes of the reading public?
