Реферат: Racism In Huck Finn Essay Research Paper

cruelties in all of his stories (Allen 260). Mark Twain’s main purposes in

producing this work seems clear, he wishes to bring to attention some of man’s

often hidden shortcomings. At the time the story was written, nobody

considered race to be a major factor in the novel and Twain himself was more

than likely one of the least-racist United States citizens alive during his time.

Many critics have also realized that this novel is not racist in nature. One of

the most prominent critics said, ?Its satirical mode forces us to recognize the

inconsistencies in our moral consciousness? (Nichols 210). Nichols? argument is

one of the strongest in favor of Huckleberry Finn. This argument illustrates his

point that the main theme of this novel is to show its reader that times have

been much worse and that we did not always enjoy the freedoms we take for

granted today. This is very true. For example, Pap, Huck?s father, is a blatant

racist and displays it often. A main example is when he rants and raves because

they allowed a black man to vote. He bellows, ?But when they told me that there

was a state in this country where they?d let that nigger vote, I drawed out?.

(Twain 69). By reading this passage, the reader can get a sense of what is was

like back in the early nineteenth century before blacks were freed showing the

differences between our times and times one hundred years ago. From this

statement, the reader can learn and be thankful that man has stopped such

practices and evolved to a more tolerant society. Another example that supports

Nicholls statement is shown when Sherburn killed Boggs in cold blood. A local

lynch mob comes to hang Sherburn and a near-riot situation happens. An event

like this shows the reader how man has changed and bettered himself from his

ancestors. Today, we give accused killers rights, ?due process of law?, and

proceed in a more civilized manner (Marx 22). These differences between now and

over one hundred years ago show the reader how the human race has advanced. If

this novel can teach its reader about the evils of the past, then, perhaps, such

evils will not happen again (Smiley 1).

In conclusion, educated readers and critics alike have realized that Mark