The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Case Study in Critical Controversy) [Paperback]

Mark Twain (Author), Gerald Graff (Editor), James Phelan (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312400292 | ISBN-13: 978-0312400293 | Publication Date: December 25, 2003 | Edition: 2nd

Like its popular predecessor, this critical edition is designed for "teaching the conflicts" surrounding Mark Twain’s classic novel. It reprints the 1885 text of the first American edition (with a portfolio of illustrations) along with critical essays representing major critical and cultural controversies surrounding the work. The novel and essays are supported by distinctive editorial material — including introductions to critical conflict in literary studies, to Twain’s life and work, and to each critical controversy highlighted in this edition — that helps students grapple not only with the novel’s critical issues but also with cultural debates about literature itself. In addition to several new critical essays, the second edition includes an appendix on how to argue about the novel so that students may more effectively enter the critical conversation about its issues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; 2nd edition (December 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312400292
• ISBN-13: 978-0312400293
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the Perfect Story; but Certainly the Perfect Edition, September 16, 2009

By 

J. Stoner "Plants and Books" (Parkville, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Case Study in Critical Controversy) (Paperback)

I've always said if a book has been banned and I haven't read it, I must be doing something wrong. Luckily enough, I had read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" before, and for the life of me I couldn't remember what the big deal was (outside of the obvious) (I was in Junior High at the time, some 12 years ago). I was taking an English class for fun at the university I work for and this was the first text on the reading list. The theme of the class is "racism in American culture and American literature." The reason I mention this is not because of the content of the story "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" but rather the "bonus features," such as they are, that are included.

The "Case Studies in Critical Controversy" edition of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" includes the following (in addition to the original 1885 text):
*A wonderful introduction about the importance of studying controversies;
*A portfolio of the original illustrations included with the 1885 edition;
*Twenty essays "representing major critical and cultural controversies surrounding the work" (from the back cover) over three subject matters: the controversy over the ending; the controversy over racism; and, the controversy over gender and sexuality. These essays include:
*Lionel Trilling, "A Certain Formal Aptness";
*T.S. Eliot, "The Boy and the River: Without Beginning or End";
*Toni Morrison, "Jim's Africanist Presence in Huckleberry Finn" (New to this edition);
*Jane Smiley, "Say It Ain't So, Huck: Second Thoughts on Mark Twain's "Masterpiece"";
*Seymour Chwast, "Selling Huck Finn Down the River: A Response to Jane Smiley";
*Leslie Fiedler, "Come back to the Raft Ag'in, Huck Honey!";
*Christopher Looby, "'Innocent Homosexuality': The Fiedler Thesis in Retrospect"; and,
*Several other essays, many of which have been reproduced in other editions of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."

With this edition clocking in at 550 pages, nearly 60% of the text is additional material regarding controversy in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." As my instructor said on the first day, "Everyone has their own opinions; but, leave them at the door. All I want to hear are facts." This edition has plenty of well research and comprehensive information for all sides of each controversy. Many of the essays are linked, being responses to each other. I believe oftentimes we, as a culture, forget that sometimes the discussion about the controversy is more important than the actual controversy. Reading this text is an important educational lesson, and if parents, teachers, and school children read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the context of this edition it certainly would not be banned and I think we would all be more proud of our children for the level of discourse and behavior when engaging in controversial debate.

Granted, this is the only edition of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" I have read (since I was 15 years old); but, I can't ever imagine myself recommending any other edition for any other reason.

Good reading,

J.Stoner

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic for a Reason, February 5, 2011

By 

Chelsea Williams (Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Case Study in Critical Controversy) (Paperback)

The novel itself was great, and an addition to any classic lovers library. Even better, this edition has literary criticism in the back that focuses on critical controversies surrounding this novel and Twain. They are interesting reading as well, and make reading Huckleberry Finn all the more intriguing when you use their lenses.