Theme Of Feminism In Huck Finn

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Feminist Gender Theory in Huckleberry Finn
Feminism is defined as the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.In the novel Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain feminism is portrayed by certain characters and influences the reader 's interpretation to those characters. In this book, the gender issues are just as controversial as its racial ones. The Feminist theory is used many times throughout the novel, it shows how men and women are not treated equally and how they play different roles in this book. Huck Finn supports female stereotypes and narrates the triumph of men over women in the 19th century America shown by stereotypes and scenes women are expected to fulfill a certain role. In the novel Huckleberry Finn, …show more content…

Mary and her sisters have recently become orphans and they have a lot of money on their hands. They do not know what to do with all this money. The feminist gender theory shows up in this scene because of how they hand over the money to thieves. This shows that women are not good with money and are not smart enough to realize that the thieves are not their real relatives. The feminism theory comes back into play in this scene when Huck decides to tell Mary that the thieves are not their real relatives. A writer in feminist theory Walker, stated, “the essential humanist and decent examples are set by these female characters, which would awaken Huck Finn’s moral awareness and would prepare him for his ultimate act of self-sacrifice. By showing a very dignified honesty and frankness as well as deep trust in those scoundrels’ stories, she makes Huck feel the pangs of consciousness when he sees how she and her sisters are about to be cheated”(Willey). As soon as Huck tells her the news she is initially angry at him, but then remembers that she is inferior to him and responds by saying, “ I never thought, I was so stirred up, ‘she says now go on, and I won’t do so anymore. You tell me what to do, and whatever you say I will do it (Twain).” Mary shows feminism theory by knowing that she is subordinate to any man and doesn 't even try to come up with a solution on her own and instead relies on Huck to come up with the plan for

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