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    The Power of a Word: A Response to David Matthews' “Dumbing and Numbing Down Jim”

            I read an article from the New York Times titled Dumbing and Numbing Down Jim. The article is written by David Matthews, the author of “Ace of Spades” and “Kicking Ass and Saving Souls: a True Story of a Life Over the Line”, which is an upcoming biography.

            In his article, Matthews writes on the topic of whether or not the word “nigger” should be used in Huckleberry Finn, with the conclusion that the book would not be the same if it was extracted and replaced. Matthews explains it splendidly, as follows: “Dumbing and numbing down ‘Nigger Jim’ to ‘Slave Jim’ etiolates the crushing, dehumanizing institutional forces against the character, and minimizes Huck’s enlightenment”. By making such a statement, Matthews is pointing out the power behind the word, and the great divide that it contributed to at the time.

The use of the word allowed people of the time to accept slavery by dehumanizing the black person, and thus making them a lesser being, or property. The effects of this occurrence are witnessed in the novel when Huck legitimately feels bad for helping Jim to escape. As they are going farther away together on the raft we read that Huck’s “conscience says [to himself]… ‘What had poor Miss Watson done to you that you could see her nigger go off right under you eyes and never say one single word? What did that poor old woman do to you that you could treat her so mean?” (56). It is as though Huck has stolen Miss Watson’s life savings and is trying to get away when he comes to the sudden realization of how mean it was. At this moment, Huck is at the beginning of his journey in the bildungsroman. With the base knowledge that is offered through the fact that Huck sees Jim as property, one can more fully appreciate the significance contained within Huck's accomplishment (the fact that he comes to see Jim as a true human and equal to whites). What makes Huck’s achievement so epic originates almost entirley in the singular word “nigger”, and the power that it carries with it. This singular word, "nigger", and the power that it carries is almost entirely what makes Huck's accomplishment so incredible and advanced -- the fact that he is able to overcome such strong societal ideals, and believe for himself what he has personally experienced and knows to be true.

Along with the firm belief that the word is essential and should be included in the book, we must also note that, at the same time, the word has no place outside of the classroom. Within the classroom it is possible for the word to be used in an educational manner, and be the source of much learning. When not used in a proper context, however, it accomplishes the opposite, as it tears down the dignity of the person.
In conclusion, the word "nigger" is necessary in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as it offers the book a certain depth and power that would otherwise be vacant. The educated and smart usage of the word in the classroom is something that can, and should be, learned from. It should be restricted, however, to educational purposes, and not simply thrown around lightly for fun, or as a joke.

Works Cited

Matthews, David. “Dumbing and Numbing Down Jim.” New York Times. N.p., 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 9 Jan. 2012.