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Essay / Abolitionist Mark Twain - 1400
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is considered a classic novel of the Realist period of American literature that accurately depicts pre-Civil War social conventions. Despite this reputation as a historical mirror of life on the Mississippi River, elements of blatant racism overshadow regionalist and realistic depictions. Huck Finn does not promote racism because all derogatory or racist remarks are presented as a window into life in the 1850s, in a satirical context, or to show Mark Twain's moral views on racism. Huckleberry Finn accurately presents the mistreatment, abuse, and hatred that African Americans faced before the Civil War. Huck Finn describes racism as a part of life and a social normality accepted by most people. African Americans are treated as lower class people who do not deserve sensitive thought. Twain (2003), Tom said he took Jim's hat off his head and hung it on a branch right above him, and Jim stirred a little, but he didn't wake up . Then Jim said the witches bewitched him and put him in a trance, and rode him all over the state, then placed him under the trees again and hung his hat on a branch to show who had does this (p. 15). African Americans suffered the exact same treatment depicted in Huck Finn in real life. During the 1850s, slavery and social customs greatly limited individual freedoms. African Americans were not allowed to own land or property, nor were they allowed to legally marry and start families (Goodell, 2003). African Americans struggled daily against the mistreatment of whites. Owners expected slaves to be loyal work animals. The care was just enough to keep the slaves alive. Twain provides a perfect example...... middle of paper ......ct that they must one day sing with them in heaven or burn with them in hell in the most familiar and sociable way and on an equal footing of the most perfect equality (p. 4). He is also quoted about African Americans with a secondary thought: “We have taken away their manhood and the shame is ours, not theirs, and we should pay for it” (Twain, 1997, p. 4). Huck Finn does not promote racism. All racist comments are simply historically realistic or should be taken satirically. Twain uses the novel to fight morally against racism. Further volumes of Twain's Autobiography will be published in the years to come according to his wishes (Auto). His true feelings can then be fully understood. Until then, Huck Finn will be the subject of debate. However, no amount of debate could upset the novel's position as one of the most definitive works in American history (Fishkin, 1993).