Twain's "Nigger"

Paper Summary:

This paper investigates the use of the word "nigger" within Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The paper explains that it is argued that race itself is used within an ironic framework which requires Jim to be a comically black character and that "nigger" be used. Additionally, it is noted that the absence of the word would have diminished the importance of the novel's ideological goals.

From the Paper:

"The word "nigger" is so deeply rooted in American society that today it is almost entirely taboo, or can only be used within extremely comfortable social settings--its power is undiminished. Certainly, its meaning is associated with issues of power, domination, oppression and degradation; all fundamentally hinging upon our conception of race. Accordingly, its origin is primarily linked to the Dutch and German word "neger," which was a phonetic translation of the Spanish word "negro"; meaning simply an individual of African descent (Wikipedia). As the slave trade expanded, the word reached English ears and became "nigger"; yet the meaning remained essentially the same (Wikipedia). Still, it is important to note that although the term asserted a definite racial determination, "nigger" could not be separated from the issue of slavery."

More papers on Twain's "Nigger":

• Book Review # 108474 : "Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn"
• Book Review # 114006 : "The Writing Styles of Mark Twain"
• Analytical Essay # 23479 : "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" - Twain and Racism"

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