However, those who argue these points fail to realize the Implications of such themes and dialect. He wants to do this simply for the intrigue and has total disregard for the feelings of the sleeping slave, huckleberry finn racism essay. Sharon Rush argues that Jim, the runaway slave who joins Huck, lacks independence because he is too busy playing a stereotype. Get help with your paper. Furthermore, it is questionable as to why Jim, who on the raft proves his humanity and huckleberry finn racism essay of complex emotions, is reduced at the end of the novel to the stereotypical representation of African-American ignorance and subservience. Phelps question "Anybody hurt?
Our writers can help you with any type of essay. For any subject
By the time Twain had finished writing the novel ineight years after it was begun, he had produced The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, his greatest work and possibly on of the greatest works of American literature. With The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain attempted to illustrate his contempt for certain aspects of specifically pre-Civil War Southern society through the eyes of the innocent Huck Finn. However, his focus was not entirely on pre-War Southern society, for criticism of aspects of modern society as a whole was evident, huckleberry finn racism essay, as well as on aspects of human nature.
The themes that are developed throughout the novel include that of hypocrisy, huckleberry finn racism essay, racism, violence, and gullibility. As Jim and Huck journey down the mighty Mississippi, Huck begins to lose those inborn racist sentiments in his through his uninfluenced life with Jim. As the novel begins, Huck reveals that the Widow Douglas has adopted him. As Huck has settled into civilized society, he has befriended a boy named Tom Sawyer. Tom, having been born and raised in civilized society, has never inherited the natural or uninhibited tendencies that Huck has been raised with. In a specific scene in Chapter Two, Tom illustrates that natural tendency through his insensitivity towards slaves and members of the black race.
In that particular scene, Tom wants to play a trick on a sleeping slave named Jim by tying him to a tree. He wants to do this simply for the intrigue and has total disregard for the feelings of the sleeping slave. Tom does not worry that he may startle or upset Jim; he is more focused on simply having fun. However, he settles on playing a trick on Jim. After he kidnaps Huck, Pap takes Huck to his cabin in the woods near St. Petersburg, where he imprisons Huck while he goes to town every day. Pap is drunken, uneducated, and unemployed, representing the lowest class of white Southern society. They said he could vote when he was at home. Well, that let me out. Thinks I, what is the country a-coming to? The free black man has done no wrong, yet Pap accuses him of being a thief and infernal.
Twain is attempting to put into context specifically how he feels about racism by using such a stupid, irrational, and not respected character as Pap to proclaim such a strong racist sentiment. In Chapter Nine, there is a huckleberry finn racism essay important affirmation of strong racial prejudice towards members of the black race in the pre-Civil War South. This affirmation occurs when Huck and Jim decide that Huck should go into town in disguise to find out some information, huckleberry finn racism essay. In this instance, Mark Twain once again cleverly illustrates the innate racial prejudice characteristic of Southern pre-War society through their total arrogance of ignoring Pap as the prime suspect, and the one with more motives, and focusing their attention on Jim.
This is, in essence, replacing a white suspect with a black scapegoat when the chance arises. The townspeople seem almost eager to relieve Pap of his being the prime suspect and pin it on a black man, who has no particular motive for killing Huck. By showing the complete and ignorant willingness of the townspeople to blame it huckleberry finn racism essay Jim, Mark Twain is demonstrating how unjust and unaware racism is. That event occurs when Huck plays a mean and thoughtless trick on Jim by confusing him that Huck being gone was a dream. Twain Through this quote, Twain uses Huck to illustrate the racist sentiment that a black man was inferior to all white men, huckleberry finn racism essay, whether right or wrong.
However, there is a specific scene in the chapter when Huck makes an important statement. Thinks I, this is what comes of my not thinking. Society has taught Huck to look upon black slaves as property, and nothing else. The element of racism that Huck chooses to disregard applies to the idea huckleberry finn racism essay Southern white society that a black huckleberry finn racism essay can in no way equal or better a white man in any aspect from intelligence to emotion. Twain demonstrates the inherent racial prejudice of pre-Civil War Southern society huckleberry finn racism essay a satirical manner. The notion that black people do not care for the families as much as white people care for theirs seems utterly ridiculous to the reader.
However, in the South, this notion was commonplace and accepted. Save huckleberry finn racism essay name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment, huckleberry finn racism essay. Menu Study Resources Essays Essay Outlines Essay Topics Lectures Assignments Research Papers Literature Study Guides Subjects Science Biology Microbiology Math History Homework Help Blog Donate a paper. APA MLA Harvard Vancouver StudyBoss. March Analysis On Racism In Huck Finn. html Copy to Clipboard Reference Copied to Clipboard. Copy to Clipboard Reference Copied to Clipboard. html [Accessed 07 January ]. Analysis On Racism In Huck Finn [Internet]. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Comment Name Email Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
essay on a friend
Critics argue that Huck denies the legitimacy of his relationship with Jim because he sees Jim as "nigger" and himself as a "nigger-stealer" Hurt 1. Hurt deems the book racist because when Huck is at the Granderfords he never wonders about Jim. Before the Granderfords Huck and Jim were with each other on the river for weeks, then suddenly they separate and Huck never considers Jim Hurt 1. For example, Huck is desperate when talking to Aunt Sally and reveals his true character- a racist. Hurt declares that Huck could have easily said no one was killed Hurt 2. Julius Lester argues that because Huck likes his freedom from responsibility and restraint on the river that the book is corrupt with a misleading concept of freedom.
The ending of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn further advocates that the book is racist. Rush declares that the end of the novel renders Jim to a poppet. Other experts challenge the happy ending of the book. Experts maintain that the ending it too much of a stretch, attempting to fit into an ideal happy ending for white readers. Experts question why an old white lady would free a black man suspected of murder Lester Rush criticizes the community for wanting to capture Jim over Pap who is more likely to have murdered Huck. This implies that free blacks are automatically labeled as criminal when free Rush Therefore, some experts conclude that the book compels readers to be more humble about slavery Lester Other scholars condemn the book racist because they suggest Twain himself is a racist.
Jane Smiley professes that the book clouds white minds by promoting white supremacy Smiley 4. Smiley also ascertains that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn inspires classroom discussions for racism and history which are set low and aimed in the wrong direction Smiley 8. Toni Morrison upholds that for black students to appreciate the book it requires complacency and shame Morrison Furthermore, reading the novel in the classrooms creates "emotional segregation" within the classroom Rush On the contrary, many critics and scholars believe The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is radical for its time. They suggest that the book is satirical and strives to defy racism.
For its satirical quality and morally superior significance many critics glorify the book in the classroom. While many scholars believe that the use of the "N" is racist, others argue that the word resembles the place and time of the novel. Many critics maintain taking the word "nigger" offensively downplays the intentions of the book Cox Furthermore, many critics challenge the racist aspects of the "N" word in the book because it is set up to undermine the application of it. Twain uses the "N" word to show the irony of what it stands for Smith While the portrayal of Jim is said to be racist and dehumanizing by some, other scholars claim that the portrayal of Jim constitutes the book as anti-racist and praiseworthy.
Jim is depicted as a loving father because he wonders about his family and is attached emotionally and caringly to his deaf daughter Nichols Other experts argue that Jim is portrayed as a humane being because he is a loving man to Huck, his family, and even to strangers like the Duke, Dauphin, Tom, the doctor, and the Phelps Nichols When Pap leaves, Jim has the chance to show his fatherly figure Cox They assert that Jim voices his concerns for freedom, family, and morals. Some scholars suggest that Jim has a tranquil attitude with the Duke and the King to demonstrate that Jim is assessing and dismissing their egregious cruelty Chadwick-Joshua 4.
Likewise, many scholars derive that Jim achieves success in life by capitalizing on opportunities. Jim cleverly fosters some money out of Huck when Huck is eager to know the whereabouts of Pap Lew Other experts support that Huck and Jim share a relationship strong in brotherhood and a dream of freedom unique to American culture. The novel makes a desire for both freedom and brotherhood Cox Overall, many scholars argue that Jim teaches Huck morality and is superior in character to Huck Lew Bernard Bell admits the ending dehumanizes Jim and is a tragic flaw. However, this tragic flaw is symbolic because it represents the tragic flaw common to American culture. The ending is realistic due the end Bell Phelps confirms that Huck is racist, others contend that Huck replies to Mrs.
Phelps question with a seemingly racist answer because it is part of his lie to acquaint himself with Mrs. Many critics argue that Twain loved Jim and Huck so greatly that he sacrificed Tom Sawyer for them Cox Moreover, many experts suggest that Twain lets Jim have the last act of moral righteousness by helping the doctor at the end Chadwick-Joshua 6. Huck shows sympathy for Jim early in the novel by promising not to turn him in Bell Huck is a realistic radical and humane person compared to his education, time, place, and class Bell Furthermore, some scholars note that Huck would rather free Jim than worry about his own conscious Chadwick-Joshua 2.
Many scholars also concur that the historical content of the book is accurate. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn realistically depicts the hypocrisy of the antebellum culture Bell This book is not a racist book because it teaches people about racism and shows them how they can stop being racist through the characters of the book especially Huck and Jim. If Huck Finn and other characters can learn to see past the racism and hate of his day and love a black man then perhaps our society can learn from this and move forward not as whites, blacks, Hispanics, niggers, but as human beings sharing this precious world. is racist. Instead, the widow, Miss Watson, and Pap, the adult "role models" in Huck's life, are who instilled this hatred in Huck.
Racism was Twain shows this through Huck's relationship with Jim in the society of their time, and that Huck Finn as an. escape to freedom. hateful word by many people today, however, back Twain's novel, Miss Watson, Huck Finn's caretaker, owns Jim. She discovers that selling Jim hurt today's society. With censorship find it racist or degrading of some people to keep Twain's major themes— his satire of racism, ban the book. In the Huck Finn A Racist Book? Ever since its publication over a hundred years ago, controversy has swarmed around one of Mark Twain's most popular novels, Huck Finn. Finn, Mark Twain authored a whimsical, satirical book filled with irony.
The language used in Huck Finn society that slavery was morally right. Therefore, Jim because sometimes people do get He still considered Jim as property owned by Miss Watson Jim also teaches Huck an important lesson on how people should be treated individually. Another example Twain uses to show the hypocrisies of society is racism. Home Essays Term Papers Dissertations. Similar Papers Huck Finn Racism Jim Society Acts Huck Finn Book Twain Jim Huckleberry Finn Twain Jim Huck Huck Finn Racism Twain Book Racist
No comments:
Post a Comment