Despite evolution, the controversy of human nature remains. Humans, as early as 1894 to present day, have debated if the characteristics that distinguish one are ingrained within or behaviors learned because of the environment throughout life. Mark Twain’s book, The Tragedy of Puddn’head Wilson (1894), not only explicitly described the gruesome lives of those living enslaved, but also expertly portrayed the reasons the controversy of human nature exists.
Roxy, the most animated character, was born into slavery, and knew the hardships of life all too well. Although Twain described her “as white as anybody” (33), she believed her soul to be of color. After the birth of her son, Chambers, Roxy contemplated drowning him to ensure that he would not suffer a slave’s life, more importantly, not be sold “down de river” (46). …show more content…
When his real identity was proven, he was given the opportunities as well as the belongings that he deserved.
Living his impressionable years as a slave, he felt more comfortable as he was before his award of “the white man’s parlor” (302).
Throughout the novel, Twain neither specified nor negated his personal belief of human nature, but he expressively demonstrated that both, refinement and boorishness, could spawn within every human being, irrespective of one’s creation or life lived. He tactfully painted an in-depth picture of each character, reminding his readers that goodness and affliction can be found in some of the most unexpected places.
Roxy, being the best example of how one’s thoughts and behaviors can easily be distorted. Not one sentence was written to insinuate that Roxy was uncaring or deceitful. On the contrary, Twain wrote of how beautiful she was, both inside and out. Yet, she switched her child with another, clearly presenting how life experiences can influence human
Roxy, the most animated character, was born into slavery, and knew the hardships of life all too well. Although Twain described her “as white as anybody” (33), she believed her soul to be of color. After the birth of her son, Chambers, Roxy contemplated drowning him to ensure that he would not suffer a slave’s life, more importantly, not be sold “down de river” (46). …show more content…
When his real identity was proven, he was given the opportunities as well as the belongings that he deserved.
Living his impressionable years as a slave, he felt more comfortable as he was before his award of “the white man’s parlor” (302).
Throughout the novel, Twain neither specified nor negated his personal belief of human nature, but he expressively demonstrated that both, refinement and boorishness, could spawn within every human being, irrespective of one’s creation or life lived. He tactfully painted an in-depth picture of each character, reminding his readers that goodness and affliction can be found in some of the most unexpected places.
Roxy, being the best example of how one’s thoughts and behaviors can easily be distorted. Not one sentence was written to insinuate that Roxy was uncaring or deceitful. On the contrary, Twain wrote of how beautiful she was, both inside and out. Yet, she switched her child with another, clearly presenting how life experiences can influence human