I, too, must take exception to Robert Dagnell's view that Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a "dinosaur" in regard to contemporary relevance. And, I would argue that the book should continue to be taught on the high school level. Back in the early 80's, I was herded into a room while I was visiting a conference on the Centennial of Huck Finn, here at the University of Missouri. Someone had ask for high school teachers of the novel to volunteer to be interviewed about the book. Once in the room with four other English teachers, we were told that we were to debate a man named John Wallace, who wanted to have Huck Finn banned from all high schools because the book was "racist trash." The edited debate ended up on the MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour a few weeks later. I say all this not to blow my own horn, but because I was so inadequately prepared for such a debate. I often wish I could return to that moment then knowing what I know now. I could go on and on about this, but to be painfully brief, I firmly believe that no other book in existence teaches the lessons which Huck Finn teaches. This portrayal of an disempowered individual who has been "educated" (read corrupted) into a strong acceptance of a powerful social institution (here slavery, but substitute any social institution you wish) being able to overcome and resist that "education" through personal experience and heart rendering loyalty to a friend is unparalleled in all of literature. Twain's ironic and purposeful overuse of the "n-word" simply furthers his social satire. Michael O'Conner, University of Missouri