Black, White, and Huckleberry Finn : Re-Imagining the American Dream

This consequential book takes a hard, systematic look at the depiction of blacks, whites, and race relations in Mark Twain''s classic novel, raising questions about its canonical status in American literature. "Huckleberry Finn," one of the most widely taught novels in American literature, has long been the subject of ongoing debates over issues ranging from immorality to racism. Here, Elaine Mensh and Harry Mensh enter the debate with a careful and thoughtful examination of racial messages imbedded in the tale of Huck and Jim. Using as a gauge for analysis the historical record left by both slaves and slaveholders, the Menshes compare Twain''s depiction with historical reality, attempting to determine where the book either undermines or upholds traditional racial attitudes. Surveying the opinions of fellow critics, they challenge the current consensus that "Huckleberry Finn" fosters rapport between blacks and whites, arguing that the book does not subvert ingrained beliefs about race, and demonstrating that the argument over black-white relations in the novel is also an argument over non-fictional racial relations and conflicting perceptions of racial harmony. Reading the novel in its historical context, the Menshes conclude that Twain, in the character of Huck, never questions the institution of slavery, and even supports it in both thought and action. In response to student and parent challenges to the inclusion of the book in literature classes, they suggest that it should remain in school libraries but not be required reading. Of importance to scholars of Mark Twain and American literature, African American cultural studies, or anyone interested in issues of literature and race, this book adds a strong voice to the long-ranging debate over "Huckleberry Finn." a" "Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, the most widely taught work in American literature, is as controversial today for its treatment of race as it once was for its alleged immorality. Elaine Mensh and Harry Mensh here analyze the novel's depictions of blacks, whites, and the relations between them, and the messages those depictions send.". "Black, White, and "Huckleberry Finn" shows that the argument over black-white relations in the novel is also an argument over nonfictional ones - over black images in white minds, conflicting perceptions of racial harmony, and differing interpretations of the American dream."--BOOK JACKET. This Consequential Book Takes A Hard, Systematic Look At The Depiction Of Blacks, Whites, And Race Relations In Mark Twain's Classic Novel, Raising Questions About Racial Messages Embedded In The Tale Of Huck And Jim. Book Jacket.--jacket. 1 Trespassers 3 -- 2 Marginal Boy 17 -- 3 Shifting Perspectives 25 -- 4 Black Roots, White Roots 34 -- 5 Shallows, Depths, And Crosscurrents 46 -- 6 Identity Crisis 57 -- 7 Conscience Revisited 68 -- 8 Family Values 78 -- 9 Kindness Of Friends 89 -- 10 Fault Lines 102. Elaine Mensh And Harry Mensh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [149]-159) And Index. Analyzes the novel's depictions of blacks and whites and the messages those depictions send. Considers Huck Finn in light of historical records left by slaves and slaveholders in order to determine where the book undermines or upholds traditional racist attitudes, and reviews key episodes in the novel to discover the characters' and the author's attitudes and responses to the slave system. Also discusses controversy surrounding teaching the novel.