preview

Examples Of Racism In Huckleberry Finn

Decent Essays

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Mark Twain are not racist

Race was common in 1884 when the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was published, and still exists today. There is a lot of controversy regarding whether or not Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is racist. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not racist, Mark Twain uses racism shown in characterization, Jim and Huck’s friendship, and language to show the reader that racism is wrong. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not racist, but uses racism in the book though horrible people who support racism to show the reader that racism is bad. One example of this characterization in the book is, “It was ‘lection day, and I was just about to go and vote myself if I warn’t too drunk …show more content…

We see Twain using this in the quote, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself to to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterward, neither” (Twain Chapter 15). This quote shows that Twain is using Huck and Jim’s relationship to show that Huck is going against society and apologizing to an african american, which shows that Huck thinks that african americans are not unequal and have feelings. Another example of this is, “But somehow I couldn’t seem to strike no places to harden me against him, but only the other kind” (Twain Chapter 31). This shows that Twain wanted to show the reader that Huck believes that Jim is a good guy and should be treated nicely, unlike society which thinks that all african americans are mean and selfish. Another view of Huck and Jim’s relationship is that Huck has pranked him multiple times and has hurt Jim’s feelings, which shows that Huck disrespected Jim; but Huck felt sorry after hurting JIm’s feeling and playing tricks on him, despite what he learned growing

Get Access