The social issue of racism and the segregation of African Americans is a major issue prevalent in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with an understanding of America in the 19th century . The knowledge of Mark Twain’s personal experiences with slavery and the historical context during the 19th century adds a greater level of understanding to the racism prevalent. The treatment of the African American’s in the area surrounding the Mississippi river is evident from the start of the novel where Miss Watson and the Widow, the guardians of Huck own slaves and one in particular, Jim, Jim is an uneducated African American and is seen as entertainment. The character of Jim is considered to be a representation of one of the Mark Twain’s family saves
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It can be assumed that Mark Twain would of read this novel and perhaps took inspiration to create empathy with the character of Jim. The 15th amendment was ratified in 1870 giving African Americans the right to vote and abolished slavery which remained prominent in the southern states of America. When this occurred Mark Twain is quoted as saying “Lincoln’s Proclamation … not only set the black slaves free, but set the white man free also” this quote solidifies the viewpoint of Mark Twain towards the slavery of African Americans as evident in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that society was held back by slavery despite slavery despite the views of many aristocratic families. Throughout the novel Huck makes mention of what is society has taught him is right and wrong, an example of this is in chapter 31 where Huck decides to help Jim and says ‘Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was ever to see anybody from that town again I'd be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame. That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequences of
It can be assumed that Mark Twain would of read this novel and perhaps took inspiration to create empathy with the character of Jim. The 15th amendment was ratified in 1870 giving African Americans the right to vote and abolished slavery which remained prominent in the southern states of America. When this occurred Mark Twain is quoted as saying “Lincoln’s Proclamation … not only set the black slaves free, but set the white man free also” this quote solidifies the viewpoint of Mark Twain towards the slavery of African Americans as evident in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that society was held back by slavery despite slavery despite the views of many aristocratic families. Throughout the novel Huck makes mention of what is society has taught him is right and wrong, an example of this is in chapter 31 where Huck decides to help Jim and says ‘Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was ever to see anybody from that town again I'd be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame. That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequences of