Huck Finn Racism Essay

Huck Finn Racism Essay
Huck Finn Racism The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a Mark Twain classic, wonderfully demonstrates pre–Civil War attitudes about blacks held by
whites. Twain demonstrates these attitudes through the actions and the speech of Huckleberry Finn, the narrator, and Jim, Miss Watson's slave. These
two main characters share a relationship that progresses from an acquaintance to a friendship throughout the novel. It is through this relationship that
Mark Twain gives his readers the realization of just how different people's attitudes were before the Civil War. Twain also reveals the negative
attitudes of whites toward blacks by the cruel manner in which Jim is treated with such inferiority. The beginning of Huck and Jim's...show more
content...
Although Huck is a bit racist to Jim at the beginning of their journey, the negative attitude held by Huck begins to fizzle as their adventure
continues on. The more Huck and Jim go through together, the closer the two become. Huck begins to see Jim as a friend and vice versa. By the
end of their journey, Huck disagrees with society's idea that blacks are inferior. One example of this is evident when Huck doesn't tell anyone of
Jim's whereabouts. Huck doesn't tell anyone because he knows that if he does, Jim will be forced to return to slavery. Instead, Huck chooses to
"go to Hell" for his decision. He has shied away from society's acceptance of slavery. One of the ways Twain exposes the folly of the negative
attitudes toward blacks is through describing the whites' cruel and pointless acts of hatred directed toward Jim. The least severe of the cruel acts
toward Jim is that whites often ridicule him. Another dehumanizing act is when Jim is made to hide his face in the daytime. The most foolish and
ignorant idea of the whites, however, is when Silas Phelps locked up Jim. Another demonstration of the whites' folly is when Pap, Huck's father,
violently objects to the granting of suffrage to a black man. Pap does not take into consideration that this man is an educated professor; he believes
that he is superior to this black man simply because of the color of his skin. In actuality, however, Pap is an uneducated drunk. This adds to the irony
of the white's actions.
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Racism In Huckleberry Finn Essay
The controversy over the roots of racism lead back before the Civil War and have aroused speculation within society to this present day. The role of
racism in American society has caused a wide mass of people to question whether society has even bothered to change the perspective in regards to the
issue. Everyone defines the "n–word" in different ways due to the way they have been raised to know it, deriving it back to racism. The controversy over
banning Mark Twain's TheAdventures of Huckleberry Finn has challenged the perspective over whether racism is diminishing or continuing to expand.
Twain's novel has caused disputes among society on whether it should be allowed to teach at schools due to the mentioning of the word "n–word" more
than 200 times, not to forget the fact that it was published in 1885, a time where the Civil War ended andslavery was declared gone, although not
racism itself. To fix this, there has recently been a new edition of the novel by replacing the "n–word" with the word "slave" although some people may
argue that it makes no effect to the meaning of the novel. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the title being the name of one of the protagonists of
the novel escapes the abuse of his father and re–encounters an African American slave named Jim who has runaway from his owner. Throughout the
novel, it endeavors on the issue of racism by the whole idea centralising itself on it along with the effect the "n–word" has within the novel. The
"n–word"

Huckleberry Finn Racism
The novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain is about Huck Finn, a thirteen year old boy, learning his way through southern
society in the 1830's and 1840's. When Mark Twain writes this book, he used special dialect for Huck's speech to reflect the way children would talk
and act towards society around him. The idea of racism was there at that time, but it was not looked down upon as a bad thing. Through Mark Twain's
writings, Huck Finn travels on adventures with Jim and shows his feelings through the way he talks. Because of the American Dream and beliefs in
southern society during the 1830's and 1840's, Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn convinces the audience to understand what Huck Finn
believes during the 1830's...show more content...
Throughout the novel, Huck Finn, a thirteen year–old boy, befriends Jim, a slave, during the 1830's and 1840's in the south. Huck Finn is a genuine
boy who reaches beyond society's thoughts on becoming friends with a slave (Newell 4). Because Huck does not realize racism is a bad thing, he
treats Jim as a friend rather than a slave (Newell 5). In the middle of the novel when Huck Finn felt terrible for stealing Jim away from Miss
Watson, Huck writes a letter telling Miss Watson where she could find Jim. Soon after he wrote the letter, he realized that writing that letter was
going to destroy his friendship with Jim, Huck responded saying, "I was a trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I
knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: 'All right, then, I'll go to hell' ––and tore it up" (Levin 2). This states
that Huck shows his emotional feelings towards Jim and helping him. Huck does not fully understand the concept of racism during the 1830's and
1840's in southern society, which is why Huck tries to help Jim whenever Jim is in need. Huck and Jim have a relationship consisting of each other
caring for one another's well being (Newell 4). During this time, society does not truly understand the concept of racism being a negative, which leads
to Huck's friendliness

The Importance Of Racism In Huckleberry Finn
Racism is the diversity and discrimination based towards on one's race, which has been a problem since World War 2. Mark Twain in the novel
Huckleberry Finn intends to use the "N word" too –––––––––––––––––––––––––––.
Why Huckleberry Finn should be kept in classrooms.
Even Though the book does utilize racial slurs that are very deleterious in today's society, the book should still be edified to students from today. The
reason this word was utilized, so much throughout Huckleberry Finn was because that is just the word people of color were called.This book shows
many things that transpired in racial history in the past and gives students a conception of how people lived in the past. Huckleberry Finn does not only
show racism toward people of color, but it additionally shows the amity between a white boy named Huck and a slave named Jim. Huckleberry
Finn shows the friendship between two boys who were not allowed to be friends. This book may have offended many people, but also demonstrated
how a white boy became best friends with a slave, and back in the day many believed slaves were bad people. One needs to understand the history that
back in the days when the book was published, slavery threatened to divide the nation, but there was always an effort to keep the nation together.
Throughout the years a series of concessions were made on both sides in an effort to keep the union together"(Gale). For this reason this book is really
important, because after Huckleberry

Huckleberry Finn Racism Essay
In Mark Twain's novel, Adventures of HuckleBerry Finn, it tells a story of a kid running away from his home, and an African–American man escaping
from slavery. Twain uses the Mississippi River as sort of a refuge from land for Huck and Jim. Although some aspects of the novel may appear to be
racist to some people, Twain and the story are against slavery and racism. Throughout the novel, Mark Twain uses the Mississippi River as a type of
refuge from land. Twain uses the river as much more than a way to get from place to place. He uses it as a temporary escape for Huck and Jim. A
great example of them using the river to get away is on page one hundred and eighty–six when they run to boat and they get away from their problems
that were created...show more content...
"So, in two seconds, away we went, a sliding down the river, and it did seem so good to be free again and all by ourselves on the big river and nobody
to bother us," (page 186). This is a part in the book where they become free again. They use the river as a way to get freedom for both of them.
Even though, for Jim especially, to be completely free they wanted to be up north. They did not end up in the northern states and they were still
free. "What it was he'd planned to do if the evasion worked all right and he managed to set a nigger free that was already free before?" (page 262).
They did not need to be up north to really be free from slavery and Mark Twain did a great job of showing and explaining that in the story. The main
objective for the story was to get Jim and Huck free from their past and they were able to achieve that.
Although some parts of Mark Twain's novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, may come off as racist. The intentions of the novel is to be against
slavery, even if it comes off to be the opposite for some people. Twain's story is definitely against racism. The prevailing theme of the novel is to be
against racism while giving a little perspective on slavery and how it was in former

Theme Of Racism In Huckleberry Finn
School districts across America have banned the classic novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, calling it racist. Taking place
when slavery was still legal, the novel doesn't promote racism, but instead holds a mirror to it, shining a light on the reality of racism that existed.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the story of a 13 year old boy named Huck who runs away from home. Huck is living with his guardian, a
woman named Widow Douglas, and is being taught to be "sivilized", when his father, a lowlife drunk, kidnaps him. Huck then escapes and joins a
runaway slave named Jim. Together they face many challenges as they travel along the Mississippi River. The novel is not necessarily racist, but
merely holding a mirror to the racism in society of the 1840's. In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain holds a mirror to the racism in society
by showing how Huck changes overtime and strays from racist social norms, which contrasts with the racist views of others. Twain shows the readers
exactly how people viewed blacks in the 1840's when Huck has to make up a racist lie to conform with Tom's Aunt Sally when he says, "Now I struck
an idea and fetched it out: 'I warn't the grounding–that didn't keep us back a little. We blowed out a cylinder–head'
'Good gracious! Anybody hurt?'
'No'm. Killed a nigger'
'Well it's lucky' " (210). When Huck says that "nobody" was hurt, he is conforming to the racist society and telling Tom's aunt what she wants to hear so

Racism In Huckleberry Finn Research Paper
In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, racism is one of the main topics that the story is based around. The stories protagonist Huck, has
grown up around slaves and even has a father who would rather never vote again than to see an African American vote freely. "When they told me
there was a State in this country where they'd let that nigger vote, I drawed out. I says I'll never vote again...I says to the people, why ain't this nigger
put up at auction and sold?". (Twain). Even though Huck has been subjected to all of society's views on blacks in the community and their only
usefulness as being a slave, Huck eventually finds himself in the situation where he cares more for a black man, than he does his own father. The novel
was written...show more content...
One might say that Huck had the motivation to help Jim escape because he knew it would go against everything Pap believed in. Huck would go
out of his way to do things just in spite of Pap "" (Twain I would go to school.....). Now where Huck has this motivation to do anything to not be
anything like Pap, and to do everything in his power to go against him. Tom on the over hand has spent his entire life growing up in a modern
society home where he doesn't have any need to go against what his (caretakers) tell him is okay and not okay...... Tom says "" (Twain). as a salve to
take care of their

The racism issue has always been in the spotlight in America. Many authors are criticized for being offensive, and for taking it too far. The American
population, constituted by immigrants from different horizons, is a solid representation of cultural diversity. People from all races, religions and walks
of life inhabit the territory. Some voluntarily migrated in the quest of the American Dream, others were traded against their wishes as slaves during the
triangular commerce era. Dove and Clements, respectively, in Banneker and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, illustrate the prejudice directed against
African Americans in very different ways.
With its racial language, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn still arises debates among scholars. Its effects...show more content...
Of course, the way African American person would envision a work dealing with racism would be different from the way a Caucasian author would
visualize it. For one having to deal with the subject matter first hand, and the other second hand only. For minorities, the situation is not just about
writing a book, but it is about denouncing actual stories that happened to real people. For Rita Dove, the perception of the American public about
the African American Scientist was blurred and double sided. On one side, the innocence of his actions prevails while one the other, the relentless
racial prejudice follows his actions. When the Astronomer was observing the stars, "The good people of Baltimore" said "he took a strong drink.
Why else would he stay out under the stars all night and why hadn't he married?" Mark Twain explains in his autobiography that growing up he did
not have any idea that racism, or being racist, was not normal, he did not think anything was wrong with it, even his local church taught him it was
recognized by God. We see the same reaction in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, when Huck ripped up the letter he wrote to Ms. Watson about
Jim's whereabouts and said, "All right then, I'll go to hell." Huck thought he was committing a sin and that God will punish him by sending him to hell,
if he decide not to tell about his friend Jim, the

Mark Twain has always been one of the most controversial authors of all time. Though in recent years, there has been increasing controversy over
the ideas expressed in his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In some extreme cases the novel has even been banned by public school
systems and censored by public libraries. The basis for this censorship is the argument that Mark Twain's book is racist, but in reality Twain was
against racism and used this book to make people aware of what was going on in the south. He did this by using the regional dialect of the south,
showing the attitude of the other characters in the novel toward black people, and showing his depiction of black characters. If one were to "read
between the lines"...show more content...
An example of Huck's dialect is "The widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all
the time, considering how dismal regular and descent the widow was in all her ways; and so when I couldn't stand it no longer I lit out" (Twain 1).
An example of Aunt Polly's mainstream, yet common dialect is "Tom, you didn't have to undo your shirt collar where I sewed it, to pump on your
head, did you? Unbutton your jacket!" (Twain 6). An example of Jim's dialect is "Yo' ole father doan' know yit what he's a
–gwyne to do. Some times
he spec he'll go 'way, nen den ag'in he spec he'll stay" (Twain 19). Racial slurs are used throughout the novel TheAdventures of Huckleberry Finn. They
are not meant to be a representation of the author's attitude, they are meant to accurately depict common language and expressions regarding Black
Americans at the time. Such expressions also reveal the attitudes of the time. An example of the use of racial slurs is "The nigger run off the very night
Huck Finn was killed. So there's a reward out for him –– three hundred dollars" (Twain 55). Another use of racial slurs is "Has everybody quit thinking
the nigger done it?" (Twain 56). Perhaps the strongest example is a quote from the character Injun Joe, "He had me horsewhipped! –horsewhipped in
front of the jail, like a nigger!"

Racism In Huckleberry Finn Essay
Throughout the novel, Huck's treatment of Jim is demeaning and racist. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, set in the 1800's, Huck, a white boy,
and Jim, a runaway slave, travel together on an adventure to escape. They form a bond throughout the story, although Huck's use of the n word and
other problematic remarks have raised the question can his racism be justified? If we look at the dictionary definition of racism it states "prejudice,
discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one 's own race is superior." Most people believe
racism is just as simple as intentional displays of racial hostility, such as the Ku Klux Klan. But the racism that happens the most is the type that...show
more content...
Plus with noble respected figures around him like Miss Watson who owns slaves and uses the n–word, Huck is surely going to have the n–word in his
daily vocabulary. These truths do not change the fact that this is all due to the normalization of the racial slur. Just because something is seen as
socially acceptable, it doesn't make it unproblematic and not offensive. If I were to spill juice on my friend's shoes, but I didn't intend to, then does
that mean I spilled juice on their shoes? Same concept. Even with racism that doesn't have the intent on being racist, it does not take away the effect it
has. That is the root of what structural racism is, unintentionally being racist due to the normalization of certain acts of racism. Others also argue that
Huck used the n–word as a synonym for "buddy" or "friend". Firstly, looking from how Huck always pulled pranks on Jim and pointed out his
ignorance, it's a reach to argue that Huck saw Jim as friend, and more likely as his personal hypothetical punching bag. Secondly, Huck has used the
n–word to demean Jim multiple times. After Huck pulled another prank on Jim, Jim was hurt and he ranted at Huck. Huck's response, "It was fifteen
minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n***** – but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do
him no mean tricks, and I wouldn 't done that one if I'd knowed it would make

Mark Twain, one of the most well–known and appreciated writers in America, wrote many novels based on racial tension in the nineteenth century
including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Upon publication, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
was highly discussed because of the racial stereotypes and slurs included. As a result, the novel became popular in a short amount of time and was
temporarily banned due to the rising fuss it had created about slavery and racism. Although there was strong evidence pointing the book towards
racism, a deeper look into the novel showed that there was actually an anti–racism theme. This anti–racism theme is proved when Huckleberry Finn, a
white teenage boy, and Jim,

When Racism was Socially Acceptable
Racism was not always looked upon as offensive and arrogant. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huckleberry, also known as
Huck, constantly uses the 'n– word,' along with many other characters. Today, this would be socially offensive. However, in Huck's time, he is raised
to describe African Americans this way unlike modern times. Huck is racist because he thinks himself to be superior to African Americans, he thinks
slavery was good, and he doesn't believe that African Americans are similar to the whites in any way.
First, Huck believes that white people are superior to African Americans. Aunt Sally and Huck have a conversation about a malfunctioning
riverboat. Aunt Sally asks " '. . . anybody hurt?' " to which Huck replies, " 'No'm. Killed a n***er' " (p. 221). In these quotes, Aunt Sally and Huck
both disregard African Americans as people being hurt. Huck tricks Jim and Huck says to himself, "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself
up to go and humble myself to a n***er" (p. 86). In the previous quotes, Huck feels he cannot apologize to an African American, this suggests he feels
he is superior to Jim.
Second, Huckleberry thinks slavery is good. This is...show more content...
When Huck and Jim are with the Kind and the Duke one night, Jim is talking to himself. Huck realizes he is talking about his wife and children. "
... I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their'n. It don't seem natural, but I reckon it's so" (p. 155). Huck thinks that
African Americans don't feel love the way that white people do. Another time, Huck and Jim are arguing about whether French people speak like
Americans and Huck says to himself, " I see it warn't no use wasting words–you can't learn a n***er to argue. So I quit" (p. 80). He thinks that unlike
other people, you can't teach African

Racism In Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain is an author who fought against, slavery, injustice, and discrimination in order to highlight the crippling effects of racism through The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . For some time, many students, educators, and scholars debated whether Huckleberry Finn deserves its place in our
literary canon. Certain readers find the relationship between Huck and Jim especially problematic due to the abundant use of the N word and Twain's
stereotypical depiction of Jim. On one hand, Jim is an uneducated slave who is always in peril due to Huck's playfulness and immaturity. Yet, however,
Jim is a complex secondary character crucial for Huck's development from naivetГ© into maturity. (connect) Despite, the glaring overuse of racial
epithets,...show more content...
Jim's character is not a liability, but he is a moral compass that Huck needs to discuss critical racial issues. At first, Huck thought " well then, ain't it
natural for a Frenchman to talk different from us? You answer me that" (Twain 103). Jim reveals that each person, whether American or French is
unequivocally equal. He teaches Huck that despite racial and cultural differences we are all human. Twain wants readers to feel uncomfortable with
the label Nigger because a word like " 'Slave' was a label Jim could outrun. 'Nigger' was not. To suggest otherwise, by treating 'nigger' and 'slave' as
interchangeable, is to undermine the meaning of Jim's struggle for existence and the larger African American experience"(Smith). Jim helps Huck
understand the problems of racial superiority and makes Huck understand that " 'they're after us'. he doesn't say they after you, but 'us'. That's the
moment where it becomes about the American dilemma"( 60 minutes). Huck realizes that both he and Jim are outcasts in their society and there is no
"white" or "black" but only them together. In this critical moment, Huck understands Jim's predicament and they are not different from one another. Jim
and Huck are together on the raft, and that is all that

Racism In Huckleberry Finn
If there is one book that almost everybody read while they were in school, it was probably Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is
considered to be a masterpiece of American Literature and one of the greatest books ever written. In recent years however, there has been much
debate over whether the book is racist or not. A big part of that debate is the repeated use of the racial slur "nigger", which many people find incredibly
offensive, uncomfortable, and racist. Because of this word, some schools have banned the book. One publishing company, New South Books, has
replaced the word "nigger" with the word "slave" to allow students and teachers to feel more comfortable while reading it. While using the censored
version of Huckleberry Finn may make some people feel more comfortable, much of the book's meaning and message will be lost. Censoring nigger
will not teach readers the deeper meaning of it, remove the word's historical meaning, and fail to get the main themes of the book across to the reader.
In the modern era, "nigger" is considered to be one of if not the worst words in the English language, due to its connection to slavery and racism.
Obviously, this word offends some students, and New South Books suggests replacing the word with "slave" to prevent offending anybody.
Censorship, however, will cause more harm than simply reading the unedited version, as the reader will fail to understand the complex meaning of the
word. For example, in Huckleberry Finn,

Huckleberry Finn Racist
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was viewed as a racist novel, however, it was not. Mark Twain was criticized for the book, although it was a
learning experience for the meaning behind it. The novel was created to raise attention for slavery and racism, it was also a great novel. Since it was
first published, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn had attracted much controversy due to the use of racial slurs in his writing which caused
accusations that the author himself was racist, unfortunately due to multiple issues, the novel was banned for a period of time. Samuel Clemens had
made the story become more interesting with the help of the characters which he had created, Jim and Finn. Jim helped us learn and become convinced
that Slavery was...show more content...
As a young boy, it's easy to get attached to someone or something. However, in Huck's case it was called loyalty. The reward must've crossed his
mind and made him think twice about hiding a slave, but instead he thought that Jim was more important. Jim really captured Huck's emotion in a
way where it would've been hard for Jim to be the narrator and carry the same effect. It was weird to Jim that Huck was willing to help him
because Huck had a good life. He was brought up, educated, fed, and dressed. These were what most kids back then didn't get. Jim was also Miss
Watson's slave so he worked for and around Huck. Furthermore, we can see that Huck wanted to turn in Jim on multiple occasions. He was
educated that every black person was at a lower level than him and that their purpose was to make the white peoples lives easier. Pap also helped
make the story much more interesting, he helped Huck decide to run away and bump into Jim. It was a coincidence that they met together, but we can
easily see that Samuel Clemens has an eye for detail and made sure that everything in the book had a purpose for

Huckleberry Finn Racism Quotes Analysis
In addition, both Twain and Pyle use discrimination as a motif in their story lines to further solidify the relationships between the characters. Being
that Jim is a black man in a southern country, he is completely discriminated against and it's for that reason that Huck comes to Jim's rescue a number
of times during their adventures and is a key factor in their survival; during nighttime, Huck goes into town to buy provisions and supplies. In the
mornings, he slips into cornfields to "borrow," produce while Jim waits on the raff because he cannot be seen on land without drawing suspicion. This
demonstrates that it's not only Huck that depends on Jim to play the paternal role but also Jim that depends on Huck as the provider. It's the...show more
content...
During Huck and Jim's travel down the river, they meet several people that prove to be obstacles in their overall goal to freedom. One of the more
significant antagonists in Huck Finn is Pap, Huck's drunken father, ''By and by re rolled out and jumped up on his feet looking wild... He chased me
round and round with a clasp–knife, calling me the Angel of Death, and saying that he would kill me.'' (Twain 29). This event is essentially what
finally made Huck abandon any desire he had left to be part of society and instead to stand on his own morals and not let society dictate what he
does. Pap is the reason that Huck and Jim first met on the island and he is virtually what started their adventure. Also Pap's next appearance in the
book plays an essential role in the bonding of Huck and Jim. As previously mentioned throughout the story readers see how Jim takes the fatherly
role, well that all began when Pap's dead body washed up in a house on shore and Jim protects Huck from the pain of seeing his dead father. All this
to say that Pap one of the major antagonists in the story, plays a big role in strengthening the bond between Huck and Jim. This bond eventually
becomes the reason for why Huck is unable to turn in his friend; thus once again proving that self–morals are more influential than society's ethics. To
continue, like Pap, Prince John has no regards for the feelings

Huckleberry Finn Racism
Published in 1885 by Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was very progressive for its time. The novel shed new light on racism from the
past and present years; most of the people living in the southern states accepted the idea of racial separation. Most African Americans, free or not, held
little to no rights. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn does not explicitly ridicule racism, but rather implies the negativity of it through various elements
of the story. Twain's portrayal of Jim and Huck's relationship with Jim help in uncovering what Twain believes to be the true nature of racism. Jim is
depicted as a dull, uneducated slave at the start of the novel. As soon as he escapes to Jackson's Island, however, Twain portrays Jim as more...show
more content...
Huck was happy to have found some company. "I was ever so glad to see Jim. I warn't lonesome, now." (Twain 31). Jim was hesistant of Huck at
first, believing him to be dead; after a short amount of time, however, Jim and Huck began forming a friendship. Jim treated Huck as an equal, even
though Huck was much younger. Huck treated Jim the same way, ignoring the fact that Jim was an African American. They both decide to sail down the
Mississippi River to the Ohio River, where Jim could take a steamboat up to the Free states. At one point, they sail into a heavy fog and get separated
on the river, with Jim on the raft and Huck in the canoe. Huck manages to sneak back onto the raft without Jim noticing. Huck then plays a prank on
Jim by claiming that the entire ordeal never happened. Jim explained that he was heartbroken, because he thought that Huck had drowned. Huck,
feeling guilty, apologized to Jim: "I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way."
(Twain 65). Apologizing to an African American would have been unheard of at that time, and would have taken humility on Huck's part. Nevertheless,
the relationship between Jim and Huck continued to flourish, and Huck no longer tried to trick Jim. At that point, Huck realized that he cares about
Jim, and that Jim cares deeply about

Huckleberry Finn: An Unintentional Racist
Huckleberry Finn: An Unintentional Racist
Throughout the realistic, historical fiction novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the main character, "Huck," shows blatantly
racist ideologies. Constantly, Huck's internal conflict between helping a fugitive slave and turning him in divides him. Huck ultimately ends up
helping the slave, Jim, but treats him as subhuman, and takes advantage of his companionship. Shown in the novel, Huck does not learn to stop being
racist. This is made clear in chapters where he allows others to make fun of Jim, refers to Jim as " my nigger," lies to Jim, etc. Huckleberry Finn was
brought up in the south during the 1830's–1840's, where slavery was legal, black people were treated as subhuman, and racism was heavily influenced.
Although it may not be Huck's fault that he is racist, due to all of the societal pressure and influence he receives, his words and thoughts show that he
is undoubtledy a racist....show more content...
He says, "People would call me a low–down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum–but that don't make no difference. I ain't a–going to tell"
(Twain, 38). Here, Huck demonstrates loyalty to Jim, by promising not to turn him in for running away. However, Huck promising not to tell anyone
is attributed to the fact that he faked his own death and ran away, leaving him incredibly lonesome. Huck doesn't tell anyone about Jim, because he
needs a companion, not because he is trying to help end slavery, or even help one

What Is The Controversy Of Huckleberry Finn
Some literary critics agree with Ernest Hemingway that "all modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry
Finn... it's the best book we've had. All American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since,"
(Hemingway). While others feel that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn does not belong in the literary canon and that it "is itself literally incoherent"
(Jehlen). Unquestionably, it is now one of the "most often debated major work in American literature" (Fertig). Although The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn has caused several controversies, one major debate is whether if it is racist or not.
Due to Twain's personal experiences and opposition of slavery, and his often...show more content...
Not only is the King selling Jim back into slavery cruel treatment in itself, but Twain portrays the Phelpses as kind–hearted, gentle Christians.
Huckleberry mentions that Silas Phelps "was the innocentest, best old soul [he] ever see. But it warn't surprising; because [Silas] warn't only just
a farmer, he was a preacher, too" and when his wife Sally Phelps sees Tom walking up to the house, who she does not know is Tom, she does not
hesitate to having him over and excitingly states, "why, I do believe it's a stranger... put on another plate for dinner" (Twain 229). Even though they
treat Jim better than others have, they still treat him fit to their beliefs and keep him locked up in a shed since they believe that it is right to own him
as their property because the color of his skin makes him worth less than a white person. The Phelpses are depicted as good, big–hearted people even
if they embrace the South's institution of slavery. Tom Sawyer is actually harsher than the Phelpses, and decides to help Huck free Jim.
Unbeknownst to Huck and Jim, Jim's former owner actually passed away right after he ran away so Jim has been free this whole time. There were
multiple instances when the boys could have set Jim free and all they had to do was "to lift up the bedstead and slip off the chain" to get him freed,
but Tom needed "a lot of difficulties and dangers" to free Jim

Huck Finn Racism Essay

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Huck Finn Racism Essay