Huckleberry Finn Reconstruction Essay
Being raised in the South, Mark Twain was heavily influenced by the tensions of race relations caused by reconstruction. He integrates the tense climate into Huckleberry Finn as he shows the development of Huck, a white character, and his relationship with Jim, a negro. Mark Twain shows progressive ideals as Huck learns to treat and see Jim as a human being not just person of color, or the butt end of a joke. This contrasts the prevailing southern notion of the time, being that Negros were seen as property, not humans, as is illustrated in the book. Huck’s progression and shift from prejudice shows a growth mirroring US society during reconstruction as the southern culture needed to adjust their perspectives in order to get a clearer focus
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While Huck befriends Jim, Aunt sally refers to Jim as a Runaway nigger and boasts that They’ve got him back, safe and sound, and he’s in that cabin again, on bread and water, and loaded down with chains, till he’s claimed or sold!” (Twain 287). In addition, regardless of who won the war, the ethical nature of slavery remained a part of southern culture. Change does not occur overnight, which is often a theme that Twin attempts to highlight, adding credibility and a realism to his works. This builds empathy with his character’s because his audience understands the history, and begins to accept the nature of the character’s actions within the novel. Twain himself is not sympathetic to the southern perspective but recognizes the difficulties with Reconstruction. He implements this as a character tool to craft Huck into a well-rounded character. Mark Twain draws upon experiences to create realistic settings, dialogues and characters in Huck Finn. Part of the believability lies in his understanding of the Southern perspective. Detailing the change as prejudices are emancipated from individuals acclimating themselves to a new America highlights the struggles of Reconstructions. Jim’s eventual freedom offers signs of a brighter future. This shows hope for a war torn nation looking to mend the scars that once divided its citizens, and now represent the glue that holds the nation
While Huck befriends Jim, Aunt sally refers to Jim as a Runaway nigger and boasts that They’ve got him back, safe and sound, and he’s in that cabin again, on bread and water, and loaded down with chains, till he’s claimed or sold!” (Twain 287). In addition, regardless of who won the war, the ethical nature of slavery remained a part of southern culture. Change does not occur overnight, which is often a theme that Twin attempts to highlight, adding credibility and a realism to his works. This builds empathy with his character’s because his audience understands the history, and begins to accept the nature of the character’s actions within the novel. Twain himself is not sympathetic to the southern perspective but recognizes the difficulties with Reconstruction. He implements this as a character tool to craft Huck into a well-rounded character. Mark Twain draws upon experiences to create realistic settings, dialogues and characters in Huck Finn. Part of the believability lies in his understanding of the Southern perspective. Detailing the change as prejudices are emancipated from individuals acclimating themselves to a new America highlights the struggles of Reconstructions. Jim’s eventual freedom offers signs of a brighter future. This shows hope for a war torn nation looking to mend the scars that once divided its citizens, and now represent the glue that holds the nation