Hi. Needing some cleaning up done.

[termite_gurl08]

Can someone expain the relationship between the novel and comtemporary life? And is Huckleberry Finn an American novel. And dont laugh what is an american novel? Thank you

[Jean-Baptiste]

Welcome to the forums, gurl.

Do you mean to ask the essence of an American novel? That's a very tough question, considering the several distinct eras of American literature. I may have to leave that for someone more qualified to speculate.

Yes, Huckleberry Finn is definitely an American novel. It is arguably the quintessential American novel. Mark Twain was one of the major Realist writers, but I think this particular novel has more in common with the Modernist movement. Hemingway said something about the Modernist movement starting with Huckleberry Finn (I can't quote him at the moment). Modernism supposedly (though I tend to disagree with most of the frames created to distinguish the various eras) placed more focus on the "margins" of society, rather than the "centers" that Romanticism and Realism found so appropriate, but Huck dashes this distinction to bits, by being a very "marginal" character and the focus of one of the great Realist novels.

As for its relationship to us now, I think it says a lot about the assumptions that we make with regard to cultural divisions and moral judgment. Again, I'm not sure I can answer this question, except to assure you that it is definitely relevant to the contemporary world. Above all, don't fall into the trap of considering it a racist novel. It is a brilliant statement about racism and cultural bias, but certainly does not advocate any such ideology.

I think I've said as much as I can without answering your questions properly, so I'll stop there. Sorry. There has been a great deal discussed about this novel here in the Huckleberry Finn sub-forum; I'm sure you can find some valuable information on this site.

Enjoy!