The famous author Mark Twain describes his controversial book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as “a book of [his] where a sound heart and a deformed conscience come into collision and conscience suffers defeat”(Twain). Rather than eroding the moral values of Huck, a young white boy from the Antebellum South, and Jim, a black slave fleeing seeking true freedom, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn succeeds in maintaining Huck’s status as a hero figure and Jim’s numerous positive qualities, thanks to Huck’s growth in empathy for Jim, his decision to save Jim from slavery, and Jim’s valiant actions.
Every estimable classic sparks debate or causes conflict. As is the case with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which infuriates many due to its numerous …show more content…
The struggles experienced by Huck and Jim throughout the book, are as Charles H. Nichols puts it, “an opportunity for Huck to discover that he and Jim [are] both connected... by that magnetic chain of humanity.” (Nichols). This is exemplified when Huck, while debating whether to free Jim from slavery, notes that “everybody naturally hates an ungrateful nigger, and they’d make Jim feel it all the time” (Adventures of Huckleberry Finn). While this could be mistaken for a racist perspective, it actually demonstrates Huck’s growth in empathy, as he sees Jim as an equal, who can experience physical as well as emotional pain, and Huck takes this possible pain into account. Huck’s development of empathy for Jim over the course of the novel results in his numerous decisions to save Jim, which reflects a moral character who although may not consciously act morally, does so naturally. While on the Mississippi River, Huck and Jim are approached by two slave catchers, who question Huck about who is on his raft. Rather than sell out Jim and return him to slavery, Huck saves him “by telling the men [they] had small pox aboard,” which results in the men leaving swiftly without further inquiry (Nichols). Again in a situation in which he can either save or abandon Jim, Huck debates whether he should free Jim from slavery. Huck notes that “[he] couldn’t seem to …show more content…
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is a truly positive and significant piece of literature that should be shared, spread, and taught modern society. The book, in addition to satirizing and bringing to attention the horrible cruelties surrounding racism, no matter what time period, instills a general sense that change is possible, and that just as Huck matured to admire, empathize, and view Jim as an equal, we can do the same with all races. Twain’s novel, while controversial, teaches and exemplifies that a change in racial feelings is possible, and there is hope yet for a better
Every estimable classic sparks debate or causes conflict. As is the case with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which infuriates many due to its numerous …show more content…
The struggles experienced by Huck and Jim throughout the book, are as Charles H. Nichols puts it, “an opportunity for Huck to discover that he and Jim [are] both connected... by that magnetic chain of humanity.” (Nichols). This is exemplified when Huck, while debating whether to free Jim from slavery, notes that “everybody naturally hates an ungrateful nigger, and they’d make Jim feel it all the time” (Adventures of Huckleberry Finn). While this could be mistaken for a racist perspective, it actually demonstrates Huck’s growth in empathy, as he sees Jim as an equal, who can experience physical as well as emotional pain, and Huck takes this possible pain into account. Huck’s development of empathy for Jim over the course of the novel results in his numerous decisions to save Jim, which reflects a moral character who although may not consciously act morally, does so naturally. While on the Mississippi River, Huck and Jim are approached by two slave catchers, who question Huck about who is on his raft. Rather than sell out Jim and return him to slavery, Huck saves him “by telling the men [they] had small pox aboard,” which results in the men leaving swiftly without further inquiry (Nichols). Again in a situation in which he can either save or abandon Jim, Huck debates whether he should free Jim from slavery. Huck notes that “[he] couldn’t seem to …show more content…
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is a truly positive and significant piece of literature that should be shared, spread, and taught modern society. The book, in addition to satirizing and bringing to attention the horrible cruelties surrounding racism, no matter what time period, instills a general sense that change is possible, and that just as Huck matured to admire, empathize, and view Jim as an equal, we can do the same with all races. Twain’s novel, while controversial, teaches and exemplifies that a change in racial feelings is possible, and there is hope yet for a better