Racism in Huck Finn Essay -- Racist Literature Huckleberry Finn Mark T

Racism in Huck Finn Kids are often exposed to books long before they are ready for them or exposed to them in a manner that seems almost calculated to evaporate whatever enthusiasm the student may bring to them. Very few youngsters of high school age are ready for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Leaving aside its subtle depiction of racial attitudes and its complex view of American society, the book is written in a language that will seem baroque, obscure and antiquated to many young people today. The vastly sunnier Tom Sawyer is a book for kids, but The Adventures for Huckleberry Finn most emphatically is not. (Baker 114) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been considered one of Mark Twain's best works. Huckleberry Finn, Jim and Tom Sawyer are the main characters in the book. The book is a story about Huck Finn who is the son of a harsh drunkard. Huck decides to run away to Jackson's Island in the middle of the Mississippi River. He finds Miss Watson's slave, Jim, while on the island. They decide to head to the free states, but along the way, they run into many problems including getting into a feud between the Grangerfords and Sheperdsons and meeting two thieves. After overcoming a lot of troubles, Huck goes to the Phelps' who just happen to be relation to Tom Sawyer and are expecting Tom. Huck acts as if he is Tom for a long while. Finally, word comes that Jim is free because Miss Watson freed him before she died. As the story ends, Huckleberry decides once again that he will head up north and leaves without telling a single soul. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist book. Probably the most discussed aspect of the book is how it addresses the issue of race. Many critics agree that the book’s presentation of the issue is complex or, some say, uneven. No clear-cut stance on race and racism emerges, yet the book uses racist language, was accepted in the time period in which it was written, and may have a negative effect on students who read the book.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to understand this argument, it is important to look at the background of this problem. Despite the fact that Huck comes to respect Jim as a human being, he still reveals his prejudice towards black people. Dianne Telgen, a contemporary Latina writer, tells us that Huck’s astonishment at Jim’s deep feelings for his family is accompanied by the statement â€Å"I do beli... ...ckleberry Finn. London: Unwin Hyman, 1987. Fisher, John. Readings On The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Katie de Koster, ed. Greenhaven Press: San Diego, 1998. Gilliam, Dorothy. Readings On The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Katie de Koster, ed. Greenhaven Press: San Diego, 1998. Henry, Peaches. â€Å"The Struggle for Tolerance: Race and Censorship in Huckleberry Finn.† A Case Study in Critical Controversy: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Gerald Graff and James Phelan. New York: Bedford Books, 1995. 359-382. Robbins, Fred. Personal interview. 11 October 2000. Serafin, Steven R. ed. â€Å"Samuel Clemens.† Encyclopedia of American Literature. New York: Continuum Publishing Company, 1999. Shockley, W.B. and A.R. Jenson. Readings On The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Katie de Koster, ed. Greenhaven Press: San Diego, 1998. Telgen, Dianne, ed. Novels for Students. Volume 1. New York: Gale Research, 1997. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Amsco School Publications, Inc., 1972 Wallace, John. â€Å"Huckleberry Finn Is Racist Trash.† Readings On The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Katie de Koster, ed. Greenhaven Press: San Diego, 1998.