Caitlin Seguin

Course Description:

Senior English majors at Butler University are required to write a 15-20 page fine-tuned essay about a topic of their choice. For my essay, I chose to write about a topic related to both English and Education. My essay title was "Teaching The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Using Critical Literacy."

 

Thesis: 

I will argue that critical literacy may be a solution to teaching The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, because it challenges students to be aware of how their own identities shape and form their opinions.

 

Abstract:

Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is considered one of the most controversial American novels; however, many children will not graduate high school without reading it. While there are arguments concluding that the racial epithets, slurs, and conflicted characters should not be exposed to youth, the novel has survived because of its secure place in America’s literary canon. Twain is universally accepted as a literary genius, and even those who strongly criticize Huck Finn are aware of the novel’s attempt to portray racially diverse characters whose identities are changing and developing.

 

How should we teach Huckleberry Finn in today’s schools? Teaching the book to students potentially creates substantial confrontations;  there must be a strategy to relieve the pressure from exploring the novel in all of its contentious glory.

 

 

Specifically, in the case of Huckleberry Finn, critical literacy would push students to question Twain’s motivations, and further influence them to reject an essentialist view of the novel. My essay then provides specific ways that critical literacy practice could be tied to Huck Finn. There are sample lessons that use critical literacy strategy and apply them directly to certain pieces or themes from the book.

 

I had the opportunity to design a lesson on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for a 10th grade Honors English class at Pike High school. The lesson was particularly successful because students love controversy and are open to talking about their opinions. I was surprised by the maturity of the students when dealing with the issue. I think this lesson was helpful for students because it set the scene for the rest of the unit and helped students to look deeper than the word on the page. It was a neat way to see my research put into action!