"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" - Twain and Racism

Paper Summary:

This paper poses the question why Mark Twain depicts Jim, a black runaway in an offensive and stereotypical light. It provides a strong textual example of Jim being reduced to a fool and an object. The paper discusses Jim and Huck's equal relationship in order to provide a contrast to the racist example. The paper provides justification of Twain's offensive portrayals by arguing that the reason that he portrays Jim as a stereotypic "nigger" when he is in the presence of society is because he wants to show that Jim is buying into the social status that society has imposed on him.

From the Paper:

"Clearly Jim has no trouble standing up for himself here, and that is because he sees himself on an equal level with Huck. Not only is he standing up for himself, but he is also directly challenging the motives of a white boy. The strength of character that Jim displays here makes the reader cheer for him. This is the complete opposite reaction of that with "Mars Tom." Another example is when Jim tells Huck about his family and "Po" little "Lisabeth." It shows that they are on an equal level because Jim feels comfortable enough to confide in Huck, and again shows Jim as a human being. Jim is not only a human being, he is a very smart one. Early on in their adventures, when Huck and Jim encounter the house floating down the river, Jim makes an important decision. He sees Pap dead on the floor, but tells Huck not to look. Jim keeps the man's identity a secret until the end. This is a very smart strategic decision considering Jim's goal of becoming free. He realizes that Huck would no longer necessarily stay with him if he found out that his father were dead. It is certainly to Jim's advantage to have a white boy along with him to help him reach freedom. Jim's decision is important because he gives up the idea that he always has to compromise his own needs for white people."

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