Running head: ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN REINFORCE RACIAL

STEREOTYPES AND RACISM

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Position A
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reinforce racial stereotypes and racism
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ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN REINFORCE RACIAL STEREOTYPES

AND RACISM
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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reinforce racial stereotypes and racism
Racism and other discrimination aspects were common issues in the American history.
The governing structures gave room for racial abuse of the black Americans and other
non-native Americans. The adventures of the Huckleberry Finn novel reinforce racial
stereotypes and racism in many ways. The book depicts many underlying themes,
symbols and motifs in a youthful and lighthearted manner. It is the most conspicuous and
stark statement that Mark Twain attempts to make concerning slavery and racism during
that time. Despite its early setting, the book bears a significant impact on the modern
society.
Being set in the south where the white dominance was at the highest level, the
vices have been clearly demonstrated in the area. Along the Mississippi river in the rural
part of the country, it is predominantly the old confederate way of slavery and the white
race. In the same manner, the south of the country is still a whites dominant area.
Therefore, black infiltration in the region becomes difficult due to the old and haunting
history of the area. Moreover, the native whites from the region still possess the old and
archaic stereotypes concerning the blacks. This book serves to perpetuate the underlying
giant of hatred and malice towards the blacks. From reading this novel, the whites feel as
the rightful owners of the region and hence can treat the other races indifferently. The old
attitudes of the whites are aroused and hence the attributes of civilization may seem
wrong to the whites. In the same length, the vice of racism within the movie makes the
black people aggrieved whenever they read the novel. For example, the life of Jim in the
southern region shows how the blacks faced cruelty and slavery from the whites. At that
time, the south had not abolished slavery and Jim finds it harsh for his survival. This

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makes him flee from his owner Miss Watson to the north where there is utopian freedom
the blacks sought. Moreover, he fears being sold permanently as a slave to and get
separated from his family for good. For black readers, his experiences in the south are
heartbreaking and revive the bad blood of the current generation. Whenever they
understand the sufferings of the blacks during the 19th century, the work of civilization
and interrelation between the African Americans and the whites is put into test. The
blacks may tend to develop a shell of hatred towards the whites, despite being innocent
whites of the 21st century (Twain, 1884).
The novel also can denote the relationship of the whites and African Americans in
the modern society. This is because of the ill treatments and the double standards
depicted in the novel on the blacks. For example, Jim and Huck find themselves in almost
similar situation. They flee from their respective bosses for different reasons. However,
they are united by fate in their pursuit for freedom in the north. Through their journey, the
indifferences in their treatment are evident and Jim is as a lesser being because he is
black. Although they share almost a familial bond, Jim is at Hucks mercy though it does
not occur as such to him. Being white, he can turn him in for a good reward. Huck treats
Jim as a friend despite being black. However, he uses a derogatory term nigger." His
attitude towards Jim is somewhat mixed. As a white man, the influence of his growing up
makes him feel guilty of lying to the white men in the Mississippi area of not hiding a
slave. His conscious is clear about his generous act of friendship, but the nature of his
color betrays him. This section of the novel raises different emotions on the readers. The
issue of the genuineness of the friendship between the whites and the blacks is . This is
not an issue that fortifies the bond between these two races. Instead, it raises suspicion

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between them. As a result, the friendship between the whites and the blacks in the society
is tested. People may tend to believe that the whites are still racial despite their change of
heart from the older generation.
Throughout the novel, cases of racial double standards because of differences in
race are evident. In the life of Jim and Huck, their friendship varies whenever they
interact with other white people. For example, sawyers relatives incarcerate Jim outside
in a ban because he was a runaway slave while they receive Huck in open arms because
he is white. This happens despite both of them being in the same situation, running away
from their bosses because of oppression. These events do not bring a positive perception
of the different races as they tend to develop a shell of hatred that may repel against their
classmates or workmates. This book reflects the past events and the journey that America
has been through in reaching its current state. Therefore, teaching through such a book
can be detrimental in the society as it ignites the pains of racial and stereotyping vices
committed by the whites against the blacks

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Reference
Twain, M. (1884). Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Portsmouth: HarperCollins Canada.