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Essay / The societal issues of slavery in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book written by Mark Twain, an exceptional literary writer known to this day. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book best described as great literature. It is about a thirteen year old boy named Huck Finn who is the protagonist throughout the story. He leads a difficult life with an alcoholic and abusive father, but now lives in a more civilized household with two wives, the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson. The book explores societal issues regarding racism, hypocrisy, and what society wants Huck to do and what Huck thinks he should do. The novel is full of examples of racism and hatred towards different people. Jim is a character that is portrayed morally and ethically throughout this novel because of the way he is treated by society, treating him like an object, like a toy for someone to play with. He is one person but Huck is the only one who sees the humanity in Jim because of the color of his skin. Twain shows, through Jim's characterization, that he should be treated like any white person. Twain portrays Jim using characterization in the novel and writing about the abuse Jim suffered from society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay There are many examples written by Mark Twain about Jim, showing his characterization in the novel. Twain emphasizes Jim's loyalty and feelings toward others, showing that he is a human being and not just a slave. As Twain reveals Jim's characterization, the growing relationship with Huck and Jim causes Huck to question many things he was taught and told about race and slavery growing up. These beliefs, morals, and what society tells the public are not morally or ethically right. An example to prove this point would be chapter fifteen, when Huck plays a trick on Jim by lying to him and making him look like a fool. Huck feels bad and wanted to apologize but he didn't know how to apologize because in Huck's society, you don't apologize to a "nigger". He said: “It took me fifteen minutes before I could get ready to go and humiliate myself in front of a nigger; but I did it, and I never complain about it afterwards either. I haven't played any more tricks on him, and I wouldn't have done this one if I'd known it would make him feel that way” (p. #). It took him a while, but when he did it, he felt better about himself, proving that society and moral beliefs should not change your view of slaves or the humanity of people. In the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain also includes the abuse Jim suffered from society. People's beliefs and morals should not cause a person to change their views on a person or race of a different color. Mark Twain wrote this novel to introduce the audience to slavery by having Jim develop through the novel and reveal his characterization giving the reader a feeling and causing the audience to question the morality of slavery and since this novel was written after the civil war, it took place before the war, when slavery was still legal. Mark Twain shows that Jim is just another human being like the rest of the people by demonstrating Jim's actions throughout the story. An example to show this is when Jim had many opportunities to leave Huck but decides to stay by his side and escape together, proving his loyalty. When the fog separated them both, Jim was injured and..