Quote:
Originally Posted by Susan Reader
Twain didn't use the word because he couldn't think of anything else to call the persons of color, he used it deliberately to kick the reader a bit. It's an important part of the book.
Which of course won't stop anybody who wants to from creating a "nice" version. It'll be interesting to see who will pick it up and how they'll use it.
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This is what I was taught. Twain specifcally uses nigger extensively to show a growth over the length of the story, to where it's incongruous with the frienship shared, and the respect Huck shows Jim. By editting it out, a MAJOR portion of educational value is lost. I would be surprised if many schools use a sanitized version.