Prejudice and Racism in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Ever since its publication over a hundred years ago, controversy has swarmed around one of Mark Twain’s most popular novels, Huck Finn. Even then, many educators supported its dismissal from school libraries. For post Civil-War Americans, the argument stemmed from Twain’s use of spelling errors, poor grammar, and curse words. In the politically correct 1990’s however, the point of argument has now shifted to one of the major themes of the book: Racism. John Wallace once said of the book, “It’s the most grotesque version of racist trash” ever written. Were Twain’s archetypal characters and use of vernacular language an assertion of his own racist views, or a critique of the injustice of

A majority of people in American society believe that school systems must teach children that racism is morally wrong. Often, however, tension has builds over how to teach this important lesson. Unfortunately, a controversy has built over the teaching of Huckleberry Finn. Although some believe that Mark Twains' novel perpetuates racist feelings, in fact Twain uses the characters to demonstrate the immorality of slavery. Miss Watson and Pap, the reprehensible objects of Twains' satire, demonstrate the racist views that society takes towards slaves. The slave Jim, who may appear stereotypically ignorant, in reality represents the true goodness and humanity which society impedes upon

 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered by many to be the greatest American novel ever written.  Despite this praise, Mark Twain’s masterpiece has never been without criticism.  Upon its inception it was blasted for being indecent literature for young readers because of its lack of morals and contempt for conformity.  Modern indignation toward Huck Finn arises from its racist undertones, most notably Twain’s treatment of the character Jim.  As is the case with many canonized yet controversial books, the biggest conflict revolves around the inclusion of Huck Finn on required reading lists of public schools throughout the country.

Since the release of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1885, the way that different races relate to each other (specifically people of European and African descent) has changed astronomically. In some ways it’s improved dramatically, but some aspects of inter-racial relations have changed in ways that are not necessarily positive since the books release.

     Despite the few incidences of which Jim's description might be misconstrued as racist, there are many points in the novel where through Huck, Twain voices his extreme opposition to the slave trade and racism. In chapter six, Huck's father fervently objects to the governments granting of voting rights to an educated black professor. Twain wants the reader to see the absurdity in this statement. Huck's father believes that he is superior to this black professor simply because of the color of his skin. In chapter 15, the reader is told of an incident which contradicts the original "childlike" description of Jim. The reader is presented with a very caring and father-like Jim who becomes very worried when he loses his best friend Huck in a deep fog. Twain is pointing out the connection between Huck and Jim. A connection which does not exist between a man and his property.

Kids are often exposed to books long before they are ready for them or exposed to them in a manner that seems almost calculated to evaporate whatever enthusiasm the student may bring to them. Very few youngsters of high school age are ready for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Leaving aside its subtle depiction of racial attitudes and its complex view of American society, the book is written in a language that will seem baroque, obscure and antiquated to many young people today. The vastly sunnier Tom Sawyer is a book for kids, but The Adventures for Huckleberry Finn most emphatically is not. (Baker 114)

Jim’s emotions showed that he cared for Huck, and was worried, and it didn’t matter if he was white, no matter how many white people treated Jim horribly, that didn’t mean he was going to treat them horribly back. Also when Jim saw that Pap was dead, he hid it from Huck, because he couldn’t even imagine the pain Huck would have went through if he found out it was his dad. In Smith’s quote, “He uses the term “nigger”, and he shows Jim engaging in superstitions behavior. Yet he portrays Jim as a compassionate, shrewd, thoughtful, self- sacrificing, and even wise man.” (Smith 364) Mark Twain, shows Jim’s character being called “nigger”, and a slave, but reveals that no matter what Jim goes through, his character remains 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"

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

racist ideas in the novel. In some cases the novel has even been banned by

Huck does not describe Jim as harshly as Pap suggesting, through traits and characteristics, he is a better person that Pap. He does not say anything negative about his physical appearance. He does call him a “nigger,” however that was socially acceptable at that time. In fact, Twain makes Jim a better, more caring father figure to Huck. Jim actually cares for Huck’s well-being when he says, “"Goodness gracious, is dat you, Huck? … It's too good for true, honey, it's too good for true. Lemme look at you chile, lemme feel o' you. No, you ain' dead! you's back agin, 'live en soun', jis de same ole Huck—de same ole Huck, thanks to goodness!" (63). Twain makes Jim the good guy and Pap the bad guy to show how African- Americans are not all bad and whites are not all good. He expresses through these two characters that blacks can actually be better people than whites, going against most beliefs back then.

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain, is considered to be one of the greatest American works of art. The novel was published in 1885 and was “one book from which all modern American literature” came (Ernest Hemingway). The novel was so powerful because it introduced new ideas into book such as the vernacular language and strong expression of racism. As being one of the greatest American novels, it was one of the most controversial. This novel has faced banishment from schools and libraries over the years, even including shortly after it was published due to the idea of a white boy hanging out/helping a black boy. The continuous argument on whether this novel should be taught in schools is still alive and as strong as ever. “Huckleberry Finn” should be taught in schools for its powerful depictions of racism, which in return does more good than harm. This novel deserves to be presented to all high school students for what it accomplishes to present to the reader.

Mark Twain published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884, and it has been a controversial piece of American literature ever since. In this novel we see Huck and Jim go through a series of events, on there adventure to freedom, covering different aspects of culture and society in the United States in that time period. One of the main aspects being slavery and racism, the reader’s interpretation of the theme of race is largely determined by how they understand the character of Jim. An uninformed reader may take Twain’s rendering of Jim as racist and uneducated. People may say Twain is being racist with how Huck or other characters talk about Jim, using derogatory terms like “Nigger”, but I believe that Twain uses Jim to expose

Huck Finn and Racism Equality is the fair treatment of all unique individuals regardless of their ethnicity or gender. It’s apart of “the American Dream”, but the U.S. didn’t always have full equality.. There were times in the United States of America’s history where an infant would be trapped by the world’s rules for the lighter and darker skin-toned. Mark Twain develops the theme of racial discrimination being wrong in the novel Huckleberry Finn through Huck’s friendship with Jim, his internal struggle to help Jim when he’s been taught that doing so is wrong, and Huck end result of helping Jim escape slavery.

Samuel Clemens, whose pseudonym is Mark Twain, published The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn in 1885 in America, immediately causing controversy. The novel focuses on a white boy, Huck, and his adult companion Jim, a runaway slave, who flee Missouri on a raft down the Mississippi River in the 1840s. The novel's free-spirited and not entirely truthful hero, as well as its lack of regard for religion or adult authority are potential targets for criticism. The ungrammatical colloquial language in which Huck narrates the novel conveys oafish and inappropriate notions. Hucks detailed stories could potentially be criticized for being unethical, sacrilegious, and unsuitable for children. Overall, Twain’s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is not a xenophobic story that should be banned from schools, but it is a subversive confrontation of slavery and racism that expresses vital lessons in a satirical manner.