Mark Twain was a great writer and clearly observed the social problems around him. The essay discusses “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” written by Mark Twain and focuses on the racial problem of the society and slavery. He deals with the some of these serious social problems in his writing and his writings work as a mirror for the society.
There are many underlying themes and issues embedded in the story, but perhaps the most obvious statements that the author is trying to make concerns racism and slavery during that period. The setting of the story is during the late 19th century down south in the rural part along the Mississippi River. The south is an unwelcome place for the blacks as the white race dominates the society.
The character, Jim is used by Twain to represent the black race in the plot. He is in a situation where he is being sold, and he fears being permanently separated from his family. He meets another character, Huck who is running way from his family and together they set out on their adventure. Throughout the story, the author touches the sensitive issues of the society, and his views on racism are obvious. He addresses slavery and racism in general in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.
The blacks are treated like a piece of property and sold as slaves. The1807 ban on the African slave trade did not do much to discourage the practice. Africans were imported illegally, and they were treated as commodities. The Southern states profited much from the sale of the illegally imported slaves (Finkelman 122). Jim, a black slave in Twain' story, is treated like a piece of property. He is forced to become a Christian, and this is just opposite to what Christianity preaches. He is separated from his family and cannot seek legal help to get back to them. At times, he feels threatened even by his friend Huck, who also treats him less than a human.
In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, both Jim and Huck are feeling from their oppressing situation and looking for freedom. Although Twain is known for his humorous style of writing, the subject of racism and slavery is too serious to be portrayed humorously. The story helps to get an insight into the American society circa 1885 as Twain deals with issues of racism while placing magnitudes of America’s Civil War and Reconstruction period in perspective. Although African-Americans lawful rights gave them the ability to vote, the clashes of racial tensions were still fresh during that era and when Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was released. Twain felt passionate about the issue, and he thought that it was morally right for the blacks to enjoy the same freedom as the whites.” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was written to make the readers understand the injustice and criticize the American Society (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 2016).
Twain introduces Jim as “Miss Watson’s big nigger” and thus accuses racism by the use of the word” nigger.” The author portrays both Jim and Huck as victims of suppression and thus the reads can see them as equals. They plan to escape to Illinois which is a slavery-free state. Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory wear tow regions where slavery was prohibited after the Compromise of 1820 (Finkelman 127). Jim and Huck are victims of abuse, but Jim’s situation is graver, considering the racial prejudice of the period in America. Huck carries mixed feelings about Jim’s search for freedom and he often saw as an inferior, because of his upbringing in the racially divided south. He thinks that Jim is going beyond what he is allowed and those contrasting characteristics force the readers to think if the blacks were born with that kind of inferiority. Racial double-standards are shown in the story as a runaway slave is riskier than a slave. Jim is imprisoned in a barn behind as he is a runaway slave. However, Huck is welcomed because he is a white, although both are running away and are in the same situation.
The writer encourages the readers to think like Huck and feels as to how they can value Jim as a human being. Gradually, as the plot moves forward, Huck shows his transition towards tolerance and looks at Jim as a valuable human being and worthy of help and his freedom. The writer continues to portray Jim as a sympathetic character. His decision of staying with Sawyer impresses Finn as he risks recapture. This shows the sense of strong loyalty in a black and superior trait of humanity. Jim’s courageous act shifts attention away from his racial problem, and he represents humanity.
As Huck is the main protagonist in the narrative, the readers get aligned with him and are forced to interpret his characteristics to a higher degree. His transition from prejudice to tolerance helps the readers to understand why racism is highly immoral and a uglier face of the society. Jim should be understood as a suffering human being, and he represents thousands of black of that era undergoing the same fate and humiliation. Jim’s representation is a minor voice against racial segregation. Huck is often confused about the rules of society and how Tim should be seen. He sometimes doubts Jim on his pursuit of equality and freedom in the society. However, later he treats Jim as an equal and stops using the degrading term, "nigger". This shows how Huck and other whites are brought up and therefore it is hard for him to shake off those societal views completely. For example, he feels guilty of lying to the white men along the Mississippi when asked about hiding any slaves. The incident shows that man gets closer to the conscience if he has the courage to stay with the truth and help others. Mark Twain does a great job depicting the reality of the society and its racial controversies.
Works Cited
Finkelman, Paul. "Slavery in the United States Persons or Property." scholarship.law.duke.1.1 (2012): 105-134. Print
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Analyzing its Racial Context and Reception." artifice. 2016. Web. 17 May. 2016.
