January 11, 1999 -- Great art often shocks and disturbs us. Scholars maintain that great art makes us think and probe our feelings and our view of the world around us. Whether in literature, paintings, movies, or music, great art can often find itself embroiled in political and social controversy. "Born To Trouble: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is the first program in a four part PBS series, "Culture Shock," a historical documentary series that examines the continual struggles of art in conflict with society. Jill Janows, Executive Producer of the series, is the Producer-Director of this initial documentary program.

This first episode of the series concerns Mark Twain's classic novel. The program illustrates how censorship issues can follow a work of art for its life, even if societal values have become more enlightened. From the very beginning of its release in 1885, Huck Finn was severely criticized for its language style and content. Back then, criticism was about bad grammar (constant use of "ain't") and, for white folks, making a Negro character like Jim so acceptable and OK. Later, with the 50's civil rights movement and actions taken by the NAACP, the criticism was more focused on the book's racial issues, particularly the use of the term, "nigger." In this documentary, the book's censorship issues continue, as schoolteacher and mother, Kathy Monteiro, attempts to defend her black teenage daughter's pain from being required to read Huck Finn at her school in Tempe, Arizona.

Director Janows keeps the pace of the 90-minute film moving briskly, using routine segments within the film. We move from Twain's hometown, Hannibal and their annual celebrations of Twain to continuing biographical glimpses of Twain's personal and professional life and his struggles to complete the Huck Finn story. Scholars take us through the novel, analyzing its progression and development and we are reminded of the historical context during the early period of the conflict-- slavery, the civil war, and civil rights. And the Director returns frequently to Monteiro's struggles in Tempe.

All of these sequences lead to the Arizona teacher's attendance at a special literature class, where she and her daughter have a heated discussion with scholar Jocelyn Chadwick-Joshua. Professor Joshua specializes in teaching teachers how to deal with controversial literature and opposes banning any great works such as Huck Finn. Monteiro's segments are an interesting human element to this historical perspective of a century old controversy. It becomes self-evident that attempts at censorship lead to more, not less, attention to the art work in question. But Monteiro sticks to her convictions, despite appearing to be the sole "villain" in this film.

The most compelling part of this documentary is the scholars and their interpretations of Twain, the writer, and Huck, the character. These literature experts offer keen insight concerning impact and meaning for education and learning via controversial art. We learn from them that Twain and Huck are not necessarily racists. In fact, they contend that Jim is the real hero and is shown in humanity terms, not just as a slave. Ernest Hemingway thought the novel was the best America has ever produced. And the scholars contend the real lesson is learning can be painful, and learning from art and about art often is not easy. They also say authors like Mark Twain have always asked the questions we don't want to ask and that writers often know their art works may cause trouble. Huck Finn sure confirms that theory.

The other three programs include "The Shock of the Nude: Manet's Olympia," "Holywood Censored: Movies, Morality & the Production Code," and "The Devil's Music: 1920's Jazz." Watch for local public television listings for play dates.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Mike McElreath can be reached via e-mail as MikeM@uwyo.edu