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For example, his cruelty against Huck functions as the perfect tool to exhibit the irrational idea that a person who “always whale [his son] when he was sober” (Twain 14) is considered better that a person of color. Twain continues his social argument through Pap’s racist speech, where Pap describes a black person able to vote as a “prowling, thieving, infernal…nigger”(Twain 28). These accusations only make Twain’s arguments more valid. He shows how the black man has everything a country could want in a citizen (Twain 28), but even then the country favors people as low as Pap. These passages purposely expose how hypocritical and pretentious white people were in the antebellum south (Rasmussen 568). Twain uses Pap’s character as an example to validate his social ideas; therefore, Pap is indispensable in order to criticize white racists at the time the story is set. Jim’s complex and versatile character is Twain’s tool to reveal the irrationality in slavery. Even when the novel was published at a time when the war left the American society drained of the conflicts regarding African Americans; twain accomplishes to dignify Jim behind a stereotype. In the first chapters of the novel Jim is portrayed as the typical black slave; Twain does this to reveal how inaccurate the era’s stereotypes were (Henry 34), he accomplishes this by “elaborating [racial predispositions] and then underm[ining] them” (Smith 108). As the narrative advances Huck, alongside with the reader, realizes the intelligence and sensitivity that Jim possesses. This becomes even more prominent when Jim shares his remorse for “treating [his] little Elizabeth so ornery” (Twain 142), which results in his humanization. Portrayed as an ideal father and friend, Jim constantly sacrifices himself for others, even if that means he will lose his freedom (Twain 256). By giving Jim these characteristics, the contrast between him, Pap, the cons, or even the white society as a whole, is much more prominent; therefor, Jim’s character is elevated. Furthermore, when Twain reduces Jim to a stereotype again (Twain 240), one cannot help but to sympathize with Jim’s character, which leads to the recognition of race generalizations as immoral. Jim’s character emphasizes the depraved nature of slavery and racism. Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a tool of criticism against racism.
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Twain manages to expose America’s terrible racism, specially with the overused word “nigger”. His use of humor and irony camouflage the anti-racism message that the characters deliver. For example, Pap’s character provides the story with a strong contrast between terrible whites and respectable blacks. Likewise, Jim’s portrayal highlights the unjust treatment toward slaves at the time. Today, the novel as a whole serves as a reminder of the horrors of slavery in order to prevent our history to repeat itself. Works Cited Henry, Peaches. “The Struggle for Tolerance.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 25-48. Print. James, Pearl. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Novels For Students. Ed. Diane Telgen. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 14-17. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web, 19 April 2014. Nichols, Charles H. “A True Book- With Some Stretchers.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 210-15. Print. Rasmussen, R. Kent. Critical Companion to Mark Twain. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print. Smith, David L. “Huck, Jim, and Racial Discourse.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 103-120. Print. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2008. Print. Wallace, John H. “Huckleberry Finn Is Racist Trash.” Readings on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Katie de Koster. The Greenhaven Press literary companion to American literature. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. 112-20. Print.
Twain manages to expose America’s terrible racism, specially with the overused word “nigger”. His use of humor and irony camouflage the anti-racism message that the characters deliver. For example, Pap’s character provides the story with a strong contrast between terrible whites and respectable blacks. Likewise, Jim’s portrayal highlights the unjust treatment toward slaves at the time. Today, the novel as a whole serves as a reminder of the horrors of slavery in order to prevent our history to repeat itself. Works Cited Henry, Peaches. “The Struggle for Tolerance.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 25-48. Print. James, Pearl. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Novels For Students. Ed. Diane Telgen. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 14-17. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web, 19 April 2014. Nichols, Charles H. “A True Book- With Some Stretchers.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 210-15. Print. Rasmussen, R. Kent. Critical Companion to Mark Twain. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print. Smith, David L. “Huck, Jim, and Racial Discourse.” Satire or Evasion? Black Perspective on Huckleberry Finn. Ed. James S. Leonard. Duke University Press, 1992. 103-120. Print. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2008. Print. Wallace, John H. “Huckleberry Finn Is Racist Trash.” Readings on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Katie de Koster. The Greenhaven Press literary companion to American literature. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. 112-20. Print.