Sosi Mehren
Period 6
Ms. Snider
August 11, 2015
Huckleberry Finn Essay #1
In 1859, during a presidential debate, Abraham Lincoln stated, “[I] have never been in favor of the social and political equality of white and black races…” This was a common view that many white Americans supported throughout the 19th century. Based in mid-1800s Missouri, Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, showcases racism and the colliding cultures of enslaved African-Americans and often cruel whites of the American South. When the young Huckleberry Finn finds himself faced with the decision of whether or not to return a runaway slave that was traveling with him, he ultimately decides to aid the man in his escape, instead of acting on the flawed racist beliefs that were instilled in him as a child. In aiding the slave, Huck demonstrates this cultural collision in the racist south. This enables his transformation of character as he showcases his traits of morality, compassion, and heroism throughout the story. …show more content…
He befriends Jim the slave, but he believes what he is doing by helping him is wrong. When he says, “I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I says to myself: ‘All right then, I’ll go to hell”, he believes that by helping Jim, he will never make it into heaven. He heroically states that he would rather be in Hell with Jim than betray him. Instead of acting on these thoughts, Huck shows his bravery by accepting the fact that he will go to hell.
In conclusion, though Huckleberry and Jim are culturally very different, the collision that occurred in their travels together aided in Huckleberry Finn’s growth, and brought the pair closer together. In aiding a slave, he demonstrates this cultural collision in the racist south. This enables his transformation of character as he showcases traits of morality, compassion, and heroism throughout the
Period 6
Ms. Snider
August 11, 2015
Huckleberry Finn Essay #1
In 1859, during a presidential debate, Abraham Lincoln stated, “[I] have never been in favor of the social and political equality of white and black races…” This was a common view that many white Americans supported throughout the 19th century. Based in mid-1800s Missouri, Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, showcases racism and the colliding cultures of enslaved African-Americans and often cruel whites of the American South. When the young Huckleberry Finn finds himself faced with the decision of whether or not to return a runaway slave that was traveling with him, he ultimately decides to aid the man in his escape, instead of acting on the flawed racist beliefs that were instilled in him as a child. In aiding the slave, Huck demonstrates this cultural collision in the racist south. This enables his transformation of character as he showcases his traits of morality, compassion, and heroism throughout the story. …show more content…
He befriends Jim the slave, but he believes what he is doing by helping him is wrong. When he says, “I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I says to myself: ‘All right then, I’ll go to hell”, he believes that by helping Jim, he will never make it into heaven. He heroically states that he would rather be in Hell with Jim than betray him. Instead of acting on these thoughts, Huck shows his bravery by accepting the fact that he will go to hell.
In conclusion, though Huckleberry and Jim are culturally very different, the collision that occurred in their travels together aided in Huckleberry Finn’s growth, and brought the pair closer together. In aiding a slave, he demonstrates this cultural collision in the racist south. This enables his transformation of character as he showcases traits of morality, compassion, and heroism throughout the