Essay on Prejudice and Racism in The Adventures of...

Prejudice and Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is an excellent example of racism in literature, because it uses language describing African Americans which goes beyond satire. It treats them as objects and perpetuates stereotypes. It does not expose and deal with racism, as many advocates of its reading claim, but encourages an attitude of superiority that is unnecessary and intolerable. In order to rid ourselves from this racism, African American literature should be read more often in classrooms throughout the United States. Anything less will simply perpetuate racism. The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism†¦show more content†¦Instead, he is acted upon and is often the center of attention, treated as a problem throughout the book. When he breaks this pattern, and takes action, his image is not helped. Even when he tries to help Tom near the end, he is not shown as a human being, but at best a noble savage who acts without reason. Finally, Jims character is a stereotype. He is a black man trying to find a new home, and buy back his family. He believes in a wealth of superstitions and religious taboos which the white reader often laughs at. He has no desire to pursue academics, nor any concerns of finding a real job. This image, forwarded by Twain without any indication that he disagrees with it, clearly illustrates racial superiority. The whites in the story might be bad, but they are not ever grouped together, or called by such a painful term as niggers. Using the term nigger has no healing effect, especially not among white readers. Most shrug and say Yeah, I guess thats offensive, but I dont mind it, its part of the times. Surely they would not say the same if they were African Americans. Whites cannot possibly understand the anguish this causes, possibly with the exception of frequent Anti-Semitism which must be endured by many Jewish children. We just dont care, and do not see why othersShow MoreRelated Prejudice and Racism in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn1062 Words   |  5 PagesPrejudice and Racism in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn    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 argumentRead More The Importance of Friendship in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn829 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Friendship in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Aristotle was once asked what he thought friendship was. His response was, One soul inhabiting two bodies. This was the kind of relationship that Huckleberry Finn and Jim shared in Mark Twains epic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This novel is a tool that Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemmons, was using to impress the great benefits of friendship upon society. However, others feelRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesJhonatan Zambrano Mrs. Patmor AP Lit-Period 5 28 September 2016 Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1835 Mark Twain embodies realism in almost every aspect of his writing not excluding The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which in he portrays such a lifelike setting that it almost gives you this sense of reality through the point of view of a young man that has an urge for freedom yet struggles to conform to society s norms due to his adolescence. Twain s ability to unmask the true identities of theRead MoreThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book that has racial attitudes towards a society. It is1200 Words   |  5 PagesThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book that has racial attitudes towards a society. It is written in a language which is more artistic than usual. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer may be a book for young adults and children, but the Adventures of huckleberry Finn is not so much for kids. Mark twain shows the evil in his society by satirizing the institution of racism by using irony. Mark Twain’s best works is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The main characters in the book are HuckleberryRead More Mark Twain a Racist? Absolutely not!1597 Words   |  7 PagesCelebrating its 135th anniversary this year, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic of American literature and is read by millions across the nation every year. However, many claim that the book promotes and endorses the heinous act of racism. In their attacks on the classic, many of the book’s critics employ evidence such as the use of the n-word 211 times (Powers, 2010) and the novel’s repeated inferior depiction of African-Americans. Many supporters of the novel, thoughRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain1346 Words   |  6 Pages An in depth look at â€Å"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† Racism was an ever present evil that was prevelant during the 1830s and 1840s that lead to a multitude of wrongdoings against blacks. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is about a young child name Huck and how he matures in a society teeming with racism. While on his adventure, he must learn to make tough, adult-like decisions. He travels down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave who later becomes one his his greatest friends. In MarkRead MoreDehumanism In Huckleberry Finn Essay867 Words   |  4 Pageshistory of transporting people from Africa to the colonies and enslaved greatly stains its reputation. Categorizing the African slaves utilizing derogatory references as a form of dehumanizing them. American literature like Mark Twain’s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn provides this sense of realism portraying real life of the brutal and ugly aspects of life, as in this case slavery. In the book, it uses the n-word over two hundred times stirring up controversy, hundred and thirty three years later onRead MoreEssay on Huckleberry Finn: Hypocrisy in â€Å"Civilized† Society713 Words   |  3 PagesLambert Kelsey Mrs. Gunn A.P. English Literature 6 18 December 2012 Huckleberry Finn: Hypocrisy in â€Å"Civilized† Society The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a sequel to the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain illustrates the Southern states and slavery. Published in 1884, the novel focuses on the important issues that affected America. These issues included racism, slavery, civilization and greed. The book has become one of the most controversial books ever written. The controversy hasRead More Racism in Huck Finn Essay example3609 Words   |  15 PagesRacism in Huck Finn 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 peopleRead More Struggle for Freedom in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay1136 Words   |  5 PagesStruggle for Freedom in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Widow Douglas, she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent the widow was in all her ways; and so when I couldnt stand it no longer, I lit out. The aforementioned quotation best describes Hucks philosophy when faced with ties that bind. When he is unable to take the restrictions of life any longer, whether