racism+in+Huck+Finn

How does the growth and/or changes in Huck reflect a changing attitude toward Jim and illustrate Mark Twain's attitude toward the prevalent racism?
Huck is treating Jim more like property than a person, in the beginning of the novel, because of the societal influences. For example, “What I want is my nigger, or what I want is my watermelon…”, the slave held to higher importance than fruit (Twain, 245). When we are first introduced to Jim, Huck and Tom are attempting to pull a prank. Although Huck tries to dissuade Tom from humiliating Jim, Huck does not physically push the issue. Later in the novel, Huck feels bad about the prank he pulled on Jim with the snakes, but does not apologize to Jim because he does not want to "humble himself to a 'nigger'" but he does it anyway (Twain, 86). Throughout the story, Huck wrestles with the idea of turning in Jim. At one point in the novel, Huck declares that he will do the right thing and return Miss Watson's slave, but changes his mind. In the end of the story, Huck realizes that just because Jim is a slave, does not mean that he is not a person. Huck then understands that people are people, and it is wrong to think otherwise, just as a result of society. It is this point when Mark Twain illustrates his thoughts on the topic. And though these points are not told directly and in a satirical manner, they can still be seen throughout the changes, or rather metamorphosis Huck goes through in the story. -Kailyn Evans

Halle Fisher

Isabella Fernadez

Jesus Arellano

Your response was not only well written but had great diction and good quotations. Not only did you find perfect examples that not only illustrated your point but portrayed Huck as a boy struggling through change. It also helped that you had correct citations and that you organzed it chronoligically emphasizing the process of his metamorphisis. I enjoyed your response and felt that it answered the question more than sufficiently. Although when you said "It is this point where Mark Twain illustrates his thoughts on the topic," you might want to go into more detail of his opinion and how it was reflected throuugh his wording. This is just my opinion on the matter and I might be incorrect but otherwise your paragraph was exceptionally written.

Jessica Morgan-Davies, Amanda Emenecker, Meghan Cotter Though Twain wrote a book that heavily displays racism throughout the novel, Twains views on racism were clearly negative. No racist author would write a bildungsroman novel about a character who starts out influenced by the ideas of society, then grows to understand the twisted idea of slavery and racism. It becomes evident throughout the story that he is very much against racism, and slavery. He expresses this through the narrator, Huck Finn and in the situations, and events that Huck must endure. One of these circumstances is the struggle of Huck on deciding on Jim's circumstance in being alongside him, and whether helping a slave to become free is "good" or "bad" by the society he lived under. Using the thoughts and ideas of a young boy, Twain illustrates that all people deserve equal treatment, whether they are white or black. Twain's story is an allegory to how slaves were treated after the Emancipation Proclamation, and how old prejudices were not truly abolished. After all, slavery was abolished legally by the Emancipation Proclamation, but morally it never was abolished in society’s standards (Sparknotes).

Sparknotes, LLC "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Themes, Motifs & Symbols." SPARKNOTES. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sep 2012 Halle, Isabella, Jesus, and Kaitlyn Huck Finn Racism

Throughout the novel, Huckleberry Finn evolves from a narrow minded boy to an open minded man. He saw not only the injustice in slavery but acted upon it, judging not upon the color of Jim’s skin but on the friendship he demonstrated. This reflected upon Mark Twain’s attitude, in the fact that Huck’s thoughts were a form of Twain’s own ideas and morals toward racism. No longer was Huck a vehicle for other’s opinions but he had his own thoughts and personality. Before fleeing Miss Watson and his Father, Huck viewed Jim as just a slave in the house “Miss Watson’s big nigger, named Jim,” he even stooped so low as to play a trick on him, hanging his hat above him, letting him believe a lie, as if he were no more than a form of entertainment, although Huck was a boy and enjoyed tricks it still contrasts greatly with his conscience by the end of the book. Though tentative in his metamorphosis I feel Huck finally managed to change from who he once was to who he is in Chapter 23, when he realized “Jim loved his family as much as any white man would.” I also found an example of his change of heart in chapter 16, when Huck proves his loyalty to Jim when he lies to protect them “’Well there’s only five niggers run off to-night up yonder above the head of the bend. Is your man white or black?’... ‘He’s white,’” even though Huck is not the most truthful person in the world he had, prior to the conversation, been battling with his conscience on whether what he was doing was right. In chapter 31 Huck was so devastated by the disappearance of his friend that he “set down and cried.” This has helped not only Huck grow as a person, but his friendship with Jim develop, along with his morals. Huck has risked everything for Jim, viewing him as an equal instead of the mindless slave he thought he had been before their epic journey together; an epic journey that freed a man from slavery, and a boy from ignorance.

Jessica Morgan-Davies Meghan Cotter Amanda Emenecker

This paragraph has been excellently crafted. You have used complex sentence structure, great diction and wonderful use of supporting details. However, we believe that you should not have used 1st person if you are speaking as a group. How has the loss of his friend caused Huck “to grow” as person?

Matt Dejnowski, William Kelly, John-Luke Durham

Mark Twain uses explicit diction throughout the novel, __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.__ For example “If their master wouldn’t sell them, they’d get an Ab’litionist to go and steal them” (86). In the preface of the novel, Huck Finn commences to challenge society’s point of view on slavery when he was cursed in making a life-altering decision either returning Jim to Ms. Watson, or giving Jim the liberty he desired. Huck’s intentions were to give Jim back to his rightful owner, however his mortality was opposing that thought and tempted his mind which presented a dilemma. Huck at first felt joy and accomplishment in doing “right” by deciding to take Jim back to Ms. Watson, but swiftly his mentality changed. He decided to save Jim and make him free. This was when Huck has officially revolutionized against slavery! While Huck is against slavery in the end he was never really into slavery, it never impacted his life until he encountered Jim on Jacksons Island. When he found out Jim had ran away out of fear to be sold at first he reacted surprise and dis-approves of Jim’s choice but ends up pitying Jim. The main point in the story were he really shows his negative view on slavery is when he dresses up like a little girl and find out that the people were know him and Jim were hiding, the bounty on Jim, and that they were on their way to catch Jim. He does not think about himself, instead he begins to worry about Jim and knows he needs to get out of there to save Jim.

Lucas Doranth Gustavo Arellano Carl David

We really liked your diction in the racism paragraph and you obviously tried to stay consistent. The one bad thing is that you put in a direct quote without giving a citation. Our question is, what did you mean by, "This was when Huck has officially revolutionized against slavery!" Tristan Todd Noah Connors

Huckleberry Finn Racism Throughout the novel, Huck Finn changes his views on racism. Huck Finn begins the novel very close-minded on his views towards Jim and the rest of the slaves. His initial thoughts were that they were only servants and that they were not ethically on the same level as white people. Flowing down the river, Huck realized Jim cared for his family just as much as white people would for theirs. The view of Huck towards racism was also changed while he spent many days with Jim getting to know him and listening to his story and a new found sympathy arose for Jim and his view on racism was swayed. During the novel, Huck thinks about Jim and in his head he says “I liked the nigger for that; I tell you, gentlemen, a nigger like that is worth a thousand dollars” meaning that he knew that Jim was a kind person and he does things out of the kind of his heart to help the folk around him whether they are white or black.

David Hernandez Austin Teaford Giovanni Gonzalez

You show how Huck progresses through the story very well. How you use examples that are progressive mixed in with times of instant realization really helps you make your point. However when you say that Huck changes his views on slavery he really has no opinion on it in the first place, all he knows is society’s views. Your choice of the quote was good but if he is saying that Jim is still buyable that he still thinks of him as property?

Gustavo Arellano

Lucas Doranth

Carl David

In the novel Adventure of Huckleberry Finn the character named Huck Finn changes his view on racism. In the beginning Huck Finn is raised around a society where racism is a part of life. The Widow owned a slave named Jim, where Huck was living at the time. Huck was also raised around his father who is extremely racist as well “but when they told me there was a state in this country where they’d let that nigger vote, I drawed out”(37). In chapter two Huck’s best friend Tom wanted to play a joke on Jim but was not sure on going along with it in the beginning. At that moment Huck did not want to bother Jim because he was afraid of the size of him. A while after Huck made the decision to set out on his own instead of living with The Widow or father. Off on his own Huck finds Jim after he decided to run away from The Widow. Huck and Jim traveled together after and Huck notice new things about Jim. Huck’s view start to change after Jim mentions how much he misses his family “I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n”(165). Later Huck bonds with Jim understanding his thought and beliefs treating him as a person rather than a slave.

Katelyn Billy Charlina Davis Your response was very impressive. You had great diction and your quotes fit what you were saying. Also, your paragraph was structured well just watch your punctuation and sentence fragments. Some of your diction is a little repetitive such as when you put “Huck, Jim, and The Widow.” You wrote an amazing response. Good Job. -Jaysha Patel -Desara Nelson -Christina Olin

Racism in __Huckleberry Finn__ Mark Twain writes of typical Southern racism in his novel, __Huckleberry Finn__. An example of racism arises in chapter 6, when Pap swears never to vote again because the black people can participate. Initially, Huck describes Jim as, "...Miss Watson's big nigger..." (Twain 6) and believes Jim is a typical, uneducated slave. Spending more time together on the raft causes Huck's view of Jim to begin to change. Eventually, Huck realizes Jim has an "uncommon level head" (Twain 65) and swears not to tell anyone about Jim running away, although he believes he will go to Hell for this. Huck disagrees with the king's decision to sell Jim because he now considers Jim a friend instead of a piece of property. After Jim speaks of his deaf daughter, Huck believes, "...he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for theirn," (Twain 130). He considers Jim a friend versus a piece of property by the end of the novel, which contradicts the common belief that Blacks were untrustworthy, substandard inferiors during this time.

-Emma Rissman, Emma Bartges, Sydney Mitchell Great paragraph stayed on topic and cited examples from the book. Qoutes were percise and on point about the topic of racism. Katelyn billy, Charlina Davis Noah Connors Tristan Todd Period 3 __Huckleberry Finn__ Racism Paragraph

__The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__ is a novel concerning the moral growth of one young man in 1840's Mississippi. From the very beginning of the story, Huck regards African-Americans as inferior beings, which was the general mindset of people in this time period. As the story progresses, Huck's opinions on racism begin to change. This mirrors Mark Twain's personal attitude toward racism. Escaping from his failure of a father, Huck comes across his adopted aunt’s runaway slave, Jim. Huck and Jim decide to raft down the river together, and Huck vows not to turn Jim in. As they journey down the Mississippi, Huck struggles with his promise to Jim many times throughout the adventure. Huck eventually decides, however, that it would be wrong to turn Jim in, shown with the quote “Well, then, says I, what’s the use you learning to do right, and ain’t no trouble doing wrong, and the wages is just the same?” (Twain 101) This is when Mark Twain demonstrates his views on racism through Huck, and we see his character change.

Twain, Mark (2011-03-26). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Illustrated Edition (Uncensored & Unabridged, Digitally Retouched, Table of Contents) (p. 101). . Kindle Edition. In your response, we like that you discuss the personal views of Huck and how he changes his morals throughout the novel, we also like your use of an exact quote. We do not like the fact that towards the middle of your response you begin to drift off the topic and discuss Huck’s journey down the river and how he met with Jim. We feel that the structure of your response is well organized and makes it much easier to understand the point of your response. -David Hernandez, Austin Teaford, Giovanni Gonzalez

Huckleberry Finn: Racism In the first 20 chapters Huck was concerned about helping Jim escape. He thought of Jim as more of Miss Watson’s property not a person. He was upset because he thought he stole Jim from Miss Watson and she had never done anything mean to him. However, throughout the novel Huck’s view about slavery is changed. When he sees the families being split up he realizes that the slaves are people not just property. Huck even attempts to break Jim out of jail when he is convicted of kid napping him. His views on racism are very easily influenced by society toward the beginning of the novel, but later on he develops his own views on the matter. Christina Olin, Jaysha Patel, Desara Nelson  We believe that you very well illustrate invents that influence Huck's view on Jim being property, not a person. It clearly displays Huck's point of view on slaves, and is essential to the rest of the novel. Your response is based more upon the evolving of the relationship between Huck and Jim, rather than citing specific examples that represent Huck's change of view on racism. Why did you assume that Huck was accused of kidnapping Jim? What evidence did you find in the book? -Emma Rissman, Sydney Mitchell, Emma Bartges

Mark Twain on Racism

"I sung out for Jim about a dozen times, but I didn’t get my answer…”(Pg.132,Ch.16) This ferry boat scene in Mark Twain’s famous novel __Huckleberry Finn__, illustrates Huck’s incredible friendship, and how much he cares about, Jim, despite the fact that they are of different races. Through Huck, Mark Twain shows that people have varying views on slavery, which depend on their interactions with other races. Huck is not old enough to be molded by society, so his viewpoints on race and racism are not in agreement with the rest of the world. Most likely, Twain’s viewpoint on slavery is negative. We can infer this because he uses a 14 year old who represents innocence and has not been affected by the principles of society to communicate his negativity towards slavery. Through Huck's physical and emotional Journey with Jim, Twain reveals his true nature toward slavery. By becoming friends with a slave, Huck changes his ideals relating to race. Twain ideas on racism are shown through the friendship of these two boys. Huck changes throughout the story from a kid who feels bad about leading a slave to freedom, which is represented in this line “they would call me a low down abolitionist.” Huck then changes into someone who will not stop until he frees Jim and leads him to freedom. Huck is the proverbial Picaresque.

Matt Dejnowski John-Luke Durham William Kelly

They way that you started your paragraph affectively hooked the reader, and showed an understanding of the prompt. However, your diction could have been more sophisticated and contained a more varied vocabulary. How could you elaborate Huck as being “…the proverbial picaresque”? Isabella Fernandez, Halle Fisher, Kaitlyn Evans, Jesus Arellano

==== In Huckleberry Finn, Huck is the proverbial picaresque for a picaresque novel because he demonstrates a hero that shifts from a person that is held under society to a person who is free and in control of his life. Huck disobeys society’s morals and leads Jim to freedom. Huck represents rouge because he is constantly lying, stealing, and running. He joins sides with two con artists that trick a whole town. Huck also takes food from people, which he calls borrowing and he constantly runs for his and Jim’s freedom. ====