Students read what Ralph Ellison says about Twain's ambiguous portrayal of Jim. Then they learn of the blackface minstrel shows popular during Twain's time. Ways in which Jim rises above the stereotyped minstrel portrayals or Ways in which Jim is both similar to and different from the blackface characters of minstrel performances. Includes two 19th century minstrel show dialogues and links to 2 passages from Huck Finn. Students examine this question by learning a definition of racism and reading the arguments of two readers on opposite sides of the question.
Students work individually or in pairs to gather evidence on both sides of the question.
Defense of charges that Huck Finn is racist. Students take a clear position on the issue and write a persuasive letter to their school board. Students will structure ideas logically, use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions, clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence and address audience's concerns. An electronic text of the novel is available for finding supporting evidence. Your net browser must support RealAudio to listen to it.