Blen

Many people view Huckleberry Finn as a racist novel so much that certain schools have banned its reading and many, today, are debating whether or not the novel should continue to be read by students in high school. This racist view stems recently from the repeated use of the word “nigger” throughout the novel, but also arises because of the bad indecent and immoral treatment of blacks portrayed in the novel. Contrary to these criticisms, Mark Twain’s intentions were not that of racism. Mark Twain actually attacked racism by satirizing the lifestyle of white people. He once said that whites are not different from or better than blacks. Furthermore, Huckleberry Finn is a great example of realism in literature, depicting racism without idealization, to show how inhumane and demeaning it is, also teaching morality in the process. Huckleberry Finn’s portrayal of slavery, which is sad and degrading, but true, is an important part of American history that teaches its readers morals as well as learning from past mistakes. Therefore, it should always be required for American high school students to read. One important element in reading this novel is to understand that Twain’s consciousness and awareness is more important than that of the other character’s, in particular Huck. At the beginning of the novel, Huck’s reasoning is very naïve as it is demonstrated in Huck’s reaction to Jim when they meet in the island. . Though Jim is a runaway slave, Huck reacts with happiness since he has found a friend and someone to spend time with. Huck’s attitude is the key point of the book because it shows Huck treating Jim as a human and a friend, not as a slave or owned property. After playing harmless tricks and Jim telling him how much he misses his family, Huck realizes that Jim has feelings like any other white person. Through Huck, Twain shows that blacks are not different from whites and highlighted the fact that one should know others before judging them. This reminds me the known sayingdon’t judge the book by its cover. After running away and hiding for some time, Huck begins to interact with people as he continues to travel with Jim on the raft. As he goes onto land and meets the town’s people, he begins to return to society’s state of mind. He starts to call him nigger instead of his name, Jim. He also acts as if Jim is his slave and sometimes hides the fact that he knows him. The change of Huck’s attitude towards Jim, in particular and blacks, in general, maybe racists, shows the effects and pressures that society has on its people.