In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day podcast, author Percival Everett discusses his unique creative process for writing "James," a retelling of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of Jim. Everett shares his unconventional approach to engaging with Twain's classic, striving to produce an original work rather than simply replicating the original scenes.
The episode also delves into Everett's exploration of language and communication strategies used by enslaved people as a means of survival. Everett expresses his critique of works that fail to depict the linguistic nuances and complexities employed by oppressed communities. Additionally, the podcast examines the enduring legacy and controversies surrounding "Huckleberry Finn," as Everett weighs in on debates regarding censorship and the impact of literary works on societal norms.
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In "James," Percival Everett took an unconventional approach to engage with Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." He intentionally read Twain's work repeatedly until it became "nonsense" to him, allowing him to internalize the material and produce something original rather than merely imitating Twain's scenes. Everett sees "James" as part of an ongoing discourse with Twain's classic, adding a new perspective by telling the story from Jim's viewpoint, which he believes Twain was "unequipped" to do.
In "James," Everett explores how the enslaved used complex communication strategies as a "survival skill" to navigate oppression. A pivotal scene shows Jim teaching his children to communicate in ways that "appease their white oppressors" by appearing less knowledgeable, demonstrating Everett's belief that oppressed people develop nuanced linguistic practices to maintain autonomy.
Everett critiqued works like "12 Years a Slave" for failing to depict this complexity, showing enslaved people immediately understanding each other's language. He posits they would have crafted linguistic versions "unintelligible to their oppressors" while conversing freely amongst themselves.
Everett understands debates around censoring racial slurs in "Huckleberry Finn" but firmly opposes substituting the N-word, arguing it's the intention behind language that matters most, not just the word itself. He believes attempts to ban or alter the book reflect a lack of understanding of Twain's context and purpose.
While acknowledging the novel's significant impact, Everett questions whether any literary work can drastically sway broader societal attitudes and norms, informing his skepticism about censorship debates based on a book's content.
1-Page Summary
Percival Everett's approach to writing "James" reflects his unique style of integrating humor, irony, and philosophical elements, creating a dialogue with Mark Twain's classic work.
Everett engaged deeply with the source material, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," reading it around 15 times until he grew sick of it. This process allowed the original text to become "nonsense" to him. Everett did this so that he could internalize the material and make it his own, ensuring that he wouldn't merely regurgitate Twain's remarkable scenes but instead produce something original and entertaining.
While "James" can be seen as a discourse with Twain's work, Everett does not view his novel as a direct response or an indictment of "Huckleberry Finn." He flatters himself ...
Everett's literary approach and creative process in writing "James"
Everett’s depiction of language and communication strategies among the enslaved in "James" provides nuanced insights into the ways in which marginalized individuals navigate and survive oppression.
In "James," Everett captures a pivotal scene where Jim instructs his children on how to speak to white people in specific scenarios. The communication strategies taught by Jim highlight the use of language as a crucial survival skill, allowing the enslaved to maneuver through oppressive environments subtly. Jim understands the importance of allowing whites to name the trouble and of appearing less knowledgeable. His daughter, Rachel, adeptly adopts this strategy by asking, "Oh, Lord, Missums, ma'am, you want for me to get sand?" in response to being advised on how to handle a grease fire, rather than revealing her own knowledge that water would exacerbate the fire.
The portrayal of language and communication in "James" and its significance
Everett provides a unique perspective on the heated debates and numerous attempts to censor or alter Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn," particularly regarding the novel's use of racial slurs.
Everett contends that those who push for banning "Huckleberry Finn" are often those who have not actually read the book in its entirety. He understands the unease that surrounds the use of the racial slur "nigger" within the novel's text. However, he stands firmly against substituting it with the so-called "N-word," which he views as nonsensical and a measure that doesn't actually address the issue.
He further argues that it's not the word itself that is the core problem, but rather the intention behind its use. Everett believes it is important to see the word in the text and understand the context in which Twain used it to truly grasp the message and to know the intentions of those one deals with. To him, masking the term may lead to misinterpreting or ignoring the underlying attitudes it represents.
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The legacy and controversies surrounding the original "Huckleberry Finn" novel
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