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Literature and humans
Literature and humans
How is humanity depicted in huckleberry finn
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Understanding humanity is essential because it forces us to think critically about the challenges that face one as an individual as well as a society. This allows one to blend into a society that is constantly improving itself. Without humanity, civilizations become corrupt. Humanity in Huckleberry Finn is the understanding that others are not sub-human creatures without feelings. However, true humanity is far broader than this one definition. Humanity is being able to ignore the natural instinct of complying with the views of society and instead show the compassion and mercy to see one another as a human being. It is stopping unjust behavior to help others become more equal. Humanity is a blend of kindness, care, and a restoration of dignity. Twain’s Huckleberry Finn implies that Huck must leave “sivilized” society in order to find his humanity.
Twain’s view of humanity is that of a cruel one. He sees people as irrational and unreasoning, which is why he satirically wrote this novel to point out the illogical sense of common standards in the society of his time. Twain’s view of a white society is that they are senseless, greedy, and power-crazed: and he conveys his negative views throughout the actions and thoughts of his characters in Huck Finn. Even though Huck “lit out” from society, he still maintains the absurd views that were held toward African Americans. Huck is essentially given the stereotype of what is seen in culture as the best and the smartest: white upper-middle class kid who is educated(even with his attitude of not wanting to be civilized). Likewise, Tom Sawyer is also given the white boy stereotype being thought of as more educated and civilized, because he read books even though he did not understand their c...
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... deep south. (from the flawed Greatness) However, it’s not really a flaw, but rather another way to add to the satirical tone of the narrative. At first the narrative seems to have the sole motives for Jim’s freedom from slavery and Huck’s freedom from Pap. But we find at the end this was not the case as Jim was freed in the will and Pap was the dead man floating in the house. Furthermore, Mark Twain wrote this satirical narrative, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to reveal human nature to have no morals. It is not until Huck leaves “sivillized” society that he is able to discover humanity not only in his travelling companion Jim, but in himself. The book may have small faults. But Twain was not a writer who strived to eliminate every little flaw and write some ultimate piece of perfection but rather to convey the bigger picture and his negative views of society.
Over the 129 years for which the book has been in print, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been regarded with much controversy, for many different reasons. As it has progressed, the subject of this controversy has been almost constantly changing. This essay will explore some of the claims and explanations of the controversy, as well as a discussion on whether the book is even that controversial. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this novel, The main complaints seem to revolve around three core topics: Twain’s portrayal of Jim and other blacks, The extensive use of the racial slurs and racism, and the final chapters of the book itself.
Many words the book contains are full of vivid disgust towards black slaves. Every single line talks about how white people despise and refuse to accept the black race. Answering Aunt Sally's question about whether or not anyone is hurt Huck answers, "no mum, just killed a nigger."(Twain 213) This is the one and only acceptable way to talk about black people in the "white" society. In addition to this, not only is the black people treated differently from the white, they are also considered to be one's property. "He is the only property I have," (Twain 122) Huck is perforce to say in order to save Jim. This is the only way to get through without the essence of suspicions. Though Huck shows racism in public as society teaches him, deep inside he understands that Jim is a great person. Through the eyes of Huck Finn, Mark Twain shows that there is more to people then looks and race, showing the importance of beliefs and character.
Humanity Exposed in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. & nbsp; People are the picture of contrast, sometimes strong and heroic, and other times weak and lamentable. In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain illustrates both the good and the disagreeable portions of human nature. The good side of humanity is shown through his depiction of people's courage. The irrationality of mankind is exposed through the actions of characters in the novel. The unproductive self-serving attitude of many people is also shown in Huck Finn.
In the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck rejects "sivilized" life. He dreads the rules and conformities of society such as religion, school, and anything else that will eventually make him civilized. He feels cramped in his new surroundings at the Widow Douglas's house. He would rather be in his old rags and sugar-hogshead because he was free and satisfied. He felt out of place when he tried being "sivilized" because he grew up fending for himself and to him it felt really lonely. Huck Finn grew up living in the woods and pretty much raised himself because his pap was a drunk. He never had a civilized lifestyle and he believed that his way of living was good enough for him. He was free to do what ever he liked and that is how he learned to live. He did not believe in school because all you need to know to live is not found in a book that you read at school. He believed that you learned by living out in the wild. Huck would rather be an individual than conform to society. Huck would rather follow his heart then his head and because of this Huck is ruled as a bad person because in society your suppose to use your head. Huck is being penalized for his beliefs and he does not want to be apart of a lifestyle that does not support his ways. For instance his choice not to turn in Jim shows that Huck understands why Jim is escaping. Huck sees Jim as a friend not as a slave and so he truly is able to see that society's way of treaty Jim is wrong. Huck is portrayed as a boy who sees life at face value and not by the set "standards" of the "sivilized" society. The rejection of the "sivilized" lifestyles shows that Huck does not agree with it rules. Because of this, he is able to see life from different perspectives. He can sympathize with all the class in society. He learns to figure out what is morally correct and wrong. Through out his journey down the river, Huck is able to learn more about himself and others.
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Twain’s main characters depicted the societal issues of racism in the South. Huck Finn, a poor white boy, and Jim, an African American slave, both encounter situations that cause these characters inter turmoil because of the societal standards of the time. According to Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,
Mark Twain’s masterpiece The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through much criticism and denunciation has become a well-respected novel. Through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old boy, Huckleberry Finn, Twain illustrates the controversy of racism and slavery during the aftermath of the Civil War. Since Huck is an adolescent, he is vulnerable and greatly influenced by the adults he meets during his coming of age. His expedition down the Mississippi steers him into the lives of a diverse group of inhabitants who have conflicting morals. Though he lacks valid morals, Huck demonstrates the potential of humanity as a pensive, sensitive individual rather than conforming to a repressive society. In these modes, the novel places Jim and Huck on pedestals where their views on morality, learning, and society are compared.
Mark Twain creatively invents many settings throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; each setting effects the characters in different ways. One of the many motifs throughout the novel is the idea of freedom versus slavery. Through various incidents, lifestyles, and character developments taking place on land and water, Mark Twain is able to create two opposing worlds; i.e. one of freedom verses one of enslavement. Twain determines the characters' situations in life in accordance with each location and surroundings. Huck and Jim are constantly moving between these two worlds. For the most part, both are presented with the luxuries of freedom and serenity while on the river, which ends up changing both of their characters for the only as more of person, but a reliable friend. The reader gets a sense of Jim's kindness when he is willing to stand watch all night so Huck can get some extra rest.
Ransomed? Whats that???.. it means that we keep them till they're dead (10). This dialogue reflects Twains witty personality. Mark Twain, a great American novelist, exploits his humor, realism, and satire in his unique writing style in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain, born in 1835, wrote numerous books throughout his lifetime. Many of his books include humor; they also contain deep cynicism and satire on society. Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, exemplifies his aspects of writing humor, realism, and satire throughout the characters and situations in his great American novel.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is considered a classic novel from the realism period of American Literature that accurately depicts social conventions from pre-civil war times. Despite this reputation as a historical lens of life on the Mississippi River, elements of blatant racism overshadow the regionalist and realist depictions. Huck Finn does not promote racism because all derogatory or racist remarks are presented as a window to life during 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 in pre-civil war times. Huck Finn portrays racism as a part of life and as a social normality accepted by most people.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is so much more than just a teen’s novel. Through Twain’s harsh language reflective of the times and location and the use of characters Twain showed how much the thinking of the majority of people in the Deep South fought progression. Mark Twain use of Miss Watson, pap, the duke and the king and others to show just how many thoughts and traditions where opposed to seeing “blacks” as equals. Through Jim, Twain showed that “blacks” are people / equals. And, in Huck, Twain showed how a logical person could progress, despite the views and morals of the Deep South, to see “blacks” equals. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn succeeded in exposing the Deep South for what it really was; highly prejudice and extremely reluctant to change.
...kleberry Finn who say Jim is presented in a negative manner and as a stereotypical black slave. There is no arguing against the fact that he was presented in the book as a black slave, but these critics are missing Twain’s intent. Twain depicted Jim as a character, that, despite the fact he was considered subhuman, still expressed compassion and displayed the ethics that southerners of the time lacked, as “the moral center of the book, a man of courage and nobility, who risks his freedom -- risks his life -- for the sake of his friend Huck” (5). This “courage and nobility” is what students need when faced with adversity in their lives, even if they are stereotyped as heavily as Jim was. When students grasp this message from Twain, they will then understand the process from oppression to expression, from excluding a novel to appreciating its cultural and moral value.
Through the character of a 13-year-old boy, Twain shows how vulnerable Huck is to fall into the societal norm of thinking. Throughout the novel it is crucial to remember that whites at this time did not recognize black slaves as humans, but rather as property. By the way Huck was raised, he sees Jim as a black slave who can’t think for himself and has a very small range of emotions. In one instance in the book when Huck and Jim are stuck on the raft together, Jim starts talking enthusiastically about gaining his freedom and traveling back up the river to “steal” his family back. When Huck hears Jim’s excitement for what Huck knows is breaking a law, he immediately falls back into the learned mindset he was raised to believe: “Saying he would steal his children—children that belonged to a man I didn’t know; a man that hadn’t ever done me no harm” (95). At this point, all Huck knows is that Jim wants to steal “properties” from an innocent white man who hasn’t done anything wrong to deserve it. One of the most key places where Huck demonstrates what he’s been taught by society about African Americans is when Huck tries to explain that there are people from different countries outside of America that speak different languages other than English. Huck and Jim go back and forth arguing over why French people
Consequently, Mark Twain recognized the double standard and addresses it in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Huck was not raised in accordance or the accepted ways of civilization at the time, in fact, he faces many aspects of society which end up making him choose his own individuality over civilization. In a sense, he raises himself. He relies on his instincts and skills he learns from other people to guide him throughout his life. Twain depicts a theme of how civilization and the ethics of a society can conflict with individuality. Huck is a social outcast because he has been out on his own and reared from a drunken father and no mother. Huck experiences that social conventions inhibit personal growth. As a general rule, society has accepted depravity and immorality from some of its members while rejecting others because of their brand of depravity and immorality.
...e end of the novel, Huck and the reader have come to understand that Jim is not someone’s property or an inferior man, but an equal. To say that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist novel is absurd, but there are always some hot-heads claiming that the novel is racist. These claims are not simply attempts to damage the image of a great novel, they come from people who are hurt by racism and don’t like seeing it in any context. However, they must realize that this novel and its author are not racist, and the purpose of the story is to prove black equality. It is vital for the reader to recognize these ideas as society’s and to recognize that Twain throughout the novel does encourage racist ideas, he disputes them. For this reason, and its profound moral implication, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be removed from the literary canon. [1056]
In chapter 16, Huck protects Jim by telling bounty hunters that “He’s white.” (Twain 90) The above analyzes Huckleberry Finn as a person, as a moral example, and as a revolutionary. Huckleberry (without even knowing it) led an attack on slavery and moral injustice. Mark Twain’s satirical genius allowed him to produce The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.