Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

1268 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Central theme in the adventures of huckleberry finn

Is Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Huck Finn) worthy of all its critical acclaim, or merely an offensive piece of garbage that should be rid of its status as a masterpiece of American Literature? While praise for the novel abounds, it once was rejected by many high-society circles and remains one of the most controversial books in America. The American Library Association deemed it number five on the list of "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999” (Powell). Despite this notorious publicity, Ernest Hemingway’s claim that Huck Finn is “the best book we’ve got” is defended by many literary scholars today. In fact, the majority of high schools require students to read the novel. These schools perceive the precious truths of humanity that lie beneath the storyline’s surface. Huck Finn is a valuable, timeless work of art that is and will always remain a cornerstone of American Literature. It contains essential lessons that must never be forgotten, lest society return to the horrific conditions of its past.

The 1840s is a time most Americans would rather forget. In Huck Finn, Twain vividly paints a picture of daily life in the south during this momentous age. His descriptions often cause a certain level of discomfort. Many cringe at the use of the word “nigger” and the way African Americans are portrayed. This conversation between Huck and Aunt Sally illustrates the appalling view of slaves, “‘Good gracious! anybody hurt?’ ‘No'm. Killed a nigger.’ ‘Well, it's lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt’” (Twain 201). Slaves were harshly looked down upon and not even considered “people.” Aunt Sally’s reaction represents the typical view of slaves held by most Americans in the south. Scenes such as this intention...

... middle of paper ...

...ks Cited

Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2008. Print.

Twain, Mark. Introduction. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. By Robert G. O’Meally. 2008. New

York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2008. Print.

Powell, Alvin. “Fight over Huck Finn continues: Ed School professor wages battle for Twain

classic.” The Harvard Gazette. Harvard University, 28 Sept. 2000. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.

"Themes and Construction: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Gale Student Resources In

Context. Gale, 2003. Web. 11 Feb.

Show More
Related

  • The Use of an Offensive Word in The Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain

    623 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Adventures of Huck Finn is a very controversial book which brings much debate on whether it should be taught to children in America. The main reason for this debate is because the offensive word ‘nigger’ is used commonly throughout. The book is a classic and is seen to some people as such a great book that we should overlook the offensive word to understand the real lessons Mark Twain wanted to get across. One solution to this ongoing debate is something called the New South Edition, which substitutes ‘nigger’ for a ‘slave’ a word that is less personal and describes the history of America. Dr. Alan Gribben writes about the controversy and how the change effects the new edition. He uses personal anecdote, emotional appeal, historical references.

    Read More

  • The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    	In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops criticism of society by contrasting Huck and Jim’s life on the river to their dealings with people on land. Twain uses the adventures of Huck and Jim to expose the hypocrisy, racism, and injustices of society.

    Read More

  • The Integrity and Strength of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kaplan, Justin.  "Born to Trouble:  One Hundred Years of Huckleberry Finn."  Mark Twain Adventures of Huckleberry Finn:  A Case Study in Critical Controversy.  Eds. Gerald Graff and James Phelan.  Boston:  St. Martin's, 1995.  348-359.

    Read More

  • Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

    965 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the greatest American novels ever written. The story is about Huck, a young boy who is coming of age and is escaping from his drunken father. Along the way he stumbles across Miss Watson's slave, Jim, who has run away because he overhead that he would be sold. Throughout the story, Huck is faced with the moral dilemma of whether or not to turn Jim in. Mark Twain has purposely placed these two polar opposites together in order to make a satire of the society's institution of slavery. Along the journey, Twain implies his values through Huck on slavery, the two-facedness of society, and represents ideas with the Mississippi River.

    Read More

  • The Censorship Of Huck Finn

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn has been called one of the greatest pieces of American literature, deemed a classic. The book has been used by teachers across the country for years. Now, Huck Finn, along with other remarkable novels such as Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird, are being pulled off the shelves of libraries and banned from classrooms. All the glory this majestic piece by Mark Twain has acquired is slowly being deteriorated. This is

    Read More

  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    Are humans naturally good, or evil? Many people argue both ways. It has been argued for centuries, and many authors have written about it. One example of this is Samuel Clemens's, more commonly known as Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The book follows a young boy, named Huckleberry, and a runaway slave, named Jim, as they both run away. Huck runs away to escape being civilized, while Jim runs away from slavery. Together, they talk about life, philosophy, and friends. As they travel down the Mississippi River, both Huck and Jim learn various life lessons. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck witnesses the depravity of human nature on his journey on the Mississippi River.

    Read More

  • Hucklebery Finn by Mark Twain

    923 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mark Twain’s book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, educates high school students on how the Southern society operated at that time. When analyzing the novel, one can see that Twain’s writing clearly does not endorse slavery or the use of derogatory language toward African-Americans. In a petition to remove this book from a high school required reading list, a school board in New Jersey concluded, "the literary value of the book outweighed the negative aspect of the language employed.” (2) Huckleberry Finn is a satirical novel that was written to show the flaws of 19th century American society. It shows how people thought and acted back then, and points out what was wrong with the white supremacy mindset of many Southerners during these years. “The book itself is a great testament that...

    Read More

  • Mark Twain, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel by Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the two main characters, Huck and Jim, are strongly linked. Their relation is portrayed by various sides, some of them good and some others bad. But the essential interest of that relation is the way that uses the author to describe it. Even if he had often been misunderstood, Twain always implied a message behind the themes developed around Huck and Jim.

    Read More

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

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    Despite all the criticism, of racism and other questionable material for young readers, Mark Twain’s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is a superbly written novel, which in the opinion of this reviewer should not be remove the literary cannon. Twain’s novel is a coming of age story that teaches young people many valuable lessons and to some extend makes students reexamine their own lives and morals. The most common argument for its removal from the literary canon is that the novel is too racist; it offends black readers, perpetuates cheap slave-era stereotypes, and deserves no place on today’s bookshelves.  However one must ask if Twain is encouraging traditional southern racism or is Twain disputing these idea.

    Read More

  • What Is Jim's Lack Of Education In Huck Finn

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    Life in the late eighteen hundreds was very different from the life we know today. Not only was there more inequality, there were also more health concerns and lapses in education. Mark Twain, in his book “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” has given us a special look into the past through the eyes of a young boy. Though this book is one of, if not the most highly criticized books in the American school system, it is also one of the most highly renowned. Through the criticism, Twain has given us a golden reflective opportunity.

    Read More

  • Discrimination In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    Discrimination has been a dark shadow over America for decades. African Americans, Indians, women, and people of different religions and views have always been treated differently than the so-called average white European descent. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, discrimination is pointed towards Blacks. Some characters develop a new vision of Blacks in this classic novel and unintentionally develop the idea of an African American being able to be equal to a Caucasian. Not in all circumstances can the people of America rise above these ideas of discrimination though. White’s attitudes toward minorities grew increasingly worse in the 1800’s The Emancipation Proclamation and black codes helped much of America change their views, but the

    Read More

  • Huckleberry Finn

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mark Twain’s masterpiece The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through much criticism and denunciation has become a well-respected novel. Through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old boy, Huckleberry Finn, Twain illustrates the controversy of racism and slavery during the aftermath of the Civil War. Since Huck is an adolescent, he is vulnerable and greatly influenced by the adults he meets during his coming of age. His expedition down the Mississippi steers him into the lives of a diverse group of inhabitants who have conflicting morals. Though he lacks valid morals, Huck demonstrates the potential of humanity as a pensive, sensitive individual rather than conforming to a repressive society. In these modes, the novel places Jim and Huck on pedestals where their views on morality, learning, and society are compared.

    Read More

  • The Controversy of Huckleberry Finn

    1527 Words  | 4 Pages

    　　Over the 129 years for which the book has been in print, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been regarded with much controversy, for many different reasons. As it has progressed, the subject of this controversy has been almost constantly changing. This essay will explore some of the claims and explanations of the controversy, as well as a discussion on whether the book is even that controversial. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this novel, The main complaints seem to revolve around three core topics: Twain’s portrayal of Jim and other blacks, The extensive use of the racial slurs and racism, and the final chapters of the book itself.

    Read More

  • The Theme of Freedom in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

    2203 Words  | 5 Pages

    Freedom is what defines an individual, it bestows upon someone the power to act, speak, or think without externally imposed restraints. Therefore, enslavement may be defined as anything that impedes one’s ability to express their freedoms. However, complete uncompromised freedom is virtually impossible to achieve within a society due to the contrasting views of people. Within Mark Twain’s 1885 novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, numerous controversies are prevalent throughout the novel, primarily over the issue of racism and the general topic of enslavement. The characters in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn along with their development take an unmistakable, resilient stand against racism and by doing such in direct relation against the naturalized views of society. Twain’s characters, Jim and Huck are at the focal point of this controversy; they together are enslaved in two particularly different forms, nevertheless they both pursue their freedoms from their enslavements. The development of these characters and the growth of their interdependent relationship generate the structure of the anti-racism message within this novel. Twain’s introductory warning cautions the dangers of finding motives, morals, or plots in his novel, ironically proving the existence of each and encourages the reader to discover them. One of the undisputable major themes that extensively peculated my mind as I read the text regarded the subject of freedom and enslavement. Through Twain’s constant contrasting of freedom and enslavement such as its portrayal of slavery in the form of life on land compared to the freedom on the raft on the Mississippi Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, suggests that people are subject to various ensl...

    Read More

  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

    1647 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nichols, Charles H. “‘A True Book — With Some Stretchers’: Huck Finn Today.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspectives on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Thadious M. Davis, Thomas A. Tenney, and James S. Leonard. Durham: Duke University Press, 1992. 208–215.

    Read More

More about Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Open Document