Dec 22, 2009

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | Twain’s Seven Dialects

Twain’s Seven Dialects in the “Explanatory”
Twain’s “Explanatory” in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written to clarify the different dialects used in the novel. Ironically, his explanation has been the subject of confusion and controversy among critics ever since it was published. The varying dialects have often been difficult to differentiate, and some inconsistencies are apparent in the speech patterns of the characters. It is easy to see why critics could view the “Explanatory” as just another one of Twain’s comic witticisms...