The Presence of Racism In Huckleberry Finn
There is a major argument among literary critics whether The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is or is not a racial novel. The question comes down to the depiction of the character Jim, the black slave, and the way he is treated by Huck and other characters. The use of the word "nigger" is also a point raised by some critics, who feel that Twain uses the work too much and too loosely. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn might appear to be a racist novel. The first time Jim is introduced he is given a very negative description. The reader is told that Jim is illiterate, childlike, not very bright and extremely superstitious. However, it is important to realize who is giving this description. Even though Huck is not a racist child, he has been raised by extremely racist people who have influenced his morals and beliefs. Twain is only portraying the "...chilling truth about the old south" (Salwen). Jim is a very realistic slaved raised in the South during times of heavy racism. "Many characters use the word 'nigger' throughout [the novel]. But since the action of the book takes place in the south twenty years before the Civil War, it would
San Francisco Evening Bulletin. 14 March 1885 Many times throughout the novel Huck comes very close to rationalizing Jim's slavery. However, he is never able to see a reason why this man who has become one of his only friends, should be a slave. Through his struggle, Twain expresses his opinions of the absurdity of slavery and the importance of following one's personal property and an inferior man, but an equal (Perry). By the end of their journey Huck disagrees with society's notion that blacks are inferior. Claims that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is racist are simply attempts to damage the image of a classic novel. The claims come from people who are hurt by racism and don't like seeing it in any context. However, they have to realize that this novel and its author are not racist, and the purpose of the story is to prove black equality. A closer look reading also reveals Twain's serious satiric intent. In one scene, for instance, Aunt Sally hears of a steamboat explosion. "Good gracious! Anybody hurt?" she asks. "No," comes the answer. "Killed a nigger." This is to show that white people really didn't think of blacks as actual people, they were nothing. Blacks were treated as less that human and Twain needed to portray thi
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Approximate Word count = 850
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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