The largest debate as to why the novel is a racist work is because of the use of the "N-word." Although there is an abundance of evidence pointing towards the theory that Mark Twain was a racist, therefore making the book itself a reflection of his ideologies, Huckleberry Finn is created as a form of social commentary, on the racism of the time period. As reflected in the essays in Satire or Evasion?, the perspectives on the views of racism in Huckleberry Finn vary widely (Arac 113) and it can be concluded that “there is no single ‘black’ position on Huckleberry Finn any more than there is a monolithic white one” (Leonard
Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to expose the hypocrisy of racism and religion in society. In the period he wrote the book, there were two contradictory belief systems regarding race: one stated all men were equal, while the other stated the exact opposite, as it stated all blacks were inferior to whites. This divided society into two groups: the “civilized” (whites) and the “savages” (blacks). Through his writing of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain displayed his opposition of this arrogant and hypocritical belief system, a belief system that unfortunately still exists in today’s world.
Holy Names students should read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, because it teaches students of the ideals of American society in the 1840s. In this novel, students will learn how people in society lived, how their religious system was structured, their senses of right and wrong, racism, and old forgotten traditions. Though this book is known to be controversial for its demeaning language and ideals, it should not be forgotten. Rather than letting the issues surrounding the book be ignored , they should become known. Students should be aware of the problems in history, not hidden from it.
What makes a novel enjoyable? Usually one that is intriguing, insightful, or controversial. All of these things compiled in one book can make a book even more enjoyable. Mark Twain in the unabridged version of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” manages to include some form of those aspects. I would recommend it as a must read although some deem it inappropriate. There has been controversy over whether Huck Finn should be admitted in school libraries or whether the text should be altered in order to be appropriate for students. Twain uses literary devices that makes this novel a must read. With careful analysis, it is clear this novel captures the time of the novel through diction, keeping readers intrigued, while incorporating insight through struggles and change, therefore making this book worthwhile to read.
..., one often blames it on where or how we were raised. Realistically, Mark Twain should have rights to the same excuse. He wrote his novel years after the “end” of racial discrimination, but references it because of how he was raised. In other words, Twain mirrors the immortality of society’s racism and stereotypes. All in all, Twain teaches that although we believe ourselves not to be stereotypical, these things will doubtlessly continue to survive many eras past Realism.
Mark Twain’s use of dialect and colloquial language is very strong in the characters of this book. Nationwide there has been an argument of whether or not this text is appropriate for highschool students studying American Literature. Schools should continue teaching Huckleberry Finn to high school students because of its distinguishing dialect.
For nearly two and a half centuries people were worked to death and treated like animals just because of the color of their skin. Slavery was a racist social invention to degrade and use a group of people for their differences. In Mark Twain’s time he witnessed the prejudices against black people that lasted long after the abolishment of slavery. The social stigma around colored people did not change after slavery ended. Black people were still segregated in society and made to feel inferior. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by repetitively portraying white people as backwards and corrupt, Twain strives to overcome the racist belief of white superiority.
Many people think that Huckleberry Finn is a racist novel and they have even gone as far as banning the novel from certain schools. They base this view on the fact that the word “nigger” is used very often and they see the black people being portrayed in a degrading way to show that they are inferior to the white society. Contrary to this idea, Huckleberry Finn is not a racist novel. Mark Twain actually attacks racism by satirizing the lifestyle of the white people and shows that they have no reason at all to think that they are better than the blacks. This satirizing of the white people is effectively seen in the portrayal of the king and the duke.
Huckleberry Finn stands as one of the strongest condemnations of racism in American literature as Huck chooses to go to hell rather than send Jim back into slavery. Mark Twain wasn't a racist, but he was a local color writer intent upon capturing both the romance and the realism of his part of the country. The romance of the Mississippi River and the beauty and freedom of life on a raft is an integral part of the novel, and Twain's use of vernacular style and his attention to specific detail contribute to its realism. In writing in the dialect and the diction of his characters, Twain made them real.
Growing up in the pre-Civil War era, Mark Twain’s writings reflect racism in society which raises suspicion that Twain is racist; although racism could be traced to influences from the time period. In many ways, Twain is thought to have reflected himself within his novel, through the characters and their actions. For example, while growing up, Twain loved his career of piloting steamboats up until the Civil War. Similarly Huck expresses that “Other places do seem cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” (116). However, Mark Twain does not excessively express his views towards society to the point where he looks racist, but instead fitting for the time period.