During the eighteenth century the romanticism movement swept through Europe and began to make its way to different parts of the world. This widely accepted movement had a direct impact on art, music, and literature by placing emphasis on one’s personal imagination and emotions. In reaction to this, Mark Twain published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel attacking the romanticism which characterized the south, by over exaggerating the actions of romanticists and minimizing realist views.
As the novel begins, readers are immediately introduced to the character of Tom Sawyer, a romanticist. Twain criticizes romanticism through what Tom says and does: “I’ve seen it in the books; so of course that’s what we’ve got to do” (Twain 7). This over exaggeration of romanticism is seen as Tom’s imagination complicates situations by forcing others to partake in strenuous activities, in order that they may complete a task similar to how it is done in Tom’s books. Tom’s …show more content…
A feud between the two families started approximately thirty years ago, however, no one is fully aware of why the fighting and killing still continues (Twain 98). Through the two families, Twain’s criticism of romanticism is directed at the aspect of emotion, by putting satirical emphasis on the uncontrollable hatred each family feels towards the other. The criticism continues as Huck describes the families at church: “The men took their guns…and kept them between their knees,” while listening to a sermon “all about brotherly love” (Twain 99). Unaware of the hypocrisy, the Grangerford and Shepherdson families represent how Twain felt the south had become oblivious to the romanticism movement which was shaping the society and placing emphasis on emotion in a newfound way. Though the novel has a primary focus to criticize romanticists, Twain still incorporates the view of
As the novel begins, readers are immediately introduced to the character of Tom Sawyer, a romanticist. Twain criticizes romanticism through what Tom says and does: “I’ve seen it in the books; so of course that’s what we’ve got to do” (Twain 7). This over exaggeration of romanticism is seen as Tom’s imagination complicates situations by forcing others to partake in strenuous activities, in order that they may complete a task similar to how it is done in Tom’s books. Tom’s …show more content…
A feud between the two families started approximately thirty years ago, however, no one is fully aware of why the fighting and killing still continues (Twain 98). Through the two families, Twain’s criticism of romanticism is directed at the aspect of emotion, by putting satirical emphasis on the uncontrollable hatred each family feels towards the other. The criticism continues as Huck describes the families at church: “The men took their guns…and kept them between their knees,” while listening to a sermon “all about brotherly love” (Twain 99). Unaware of the hypocrisy, the Grangerford and Shepherdson families represent how Twain felt the south had become oblivious to the romanticism movement which was shaping the society and placing emphasis on emotion in a newfound way. Though the novel has a primary focus to criticize romanticists, Twain still incorporates the view of