Monthly Archives: April 2025

I feel as if literature texts used in college setting should include the authentic language that was originally published by the author. I can’t think of any reasoning that it wouldn’t unless it was used in a lesson for younger children. People attending college are usually adults and should be able to handle any offensive and crude words originally published. There are many different ways that using the original wording can be important, one that really stands out to me is time pieces. The language used in certain time pieces are very important to understand certain scenarios. For any slavery literature keeping the original wording gives the reader a true sense of what particular characters are going through. It can also be used as a way for the reader to learn new terms and slang used during that time. Keeping the author’s original wording can also force people to step out of their comfort zones and confront certain feelings.

In my view, the authentic language in literary texts should not be removed. Literature reflects its time so I assume changing the language risks may lose important historical and cultural context. In a story like A Good Man is Hard to Find, set in the early 1950s, reflect and even hold up a mirror to a society where racism was not just present but often routine. The grandmother’s casual racism is part of what builds her character and shows how deeply ingrained prejudice was in that society. Editing out offensive words might put the story simpler but it also waters down its message. Besides, I think we can understand the roots of racism and how it was woven into everyday life by learning its ugliness through the story.