Resumo de Anti-racism Themes In Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain has caused many
controversies, especially over the issue of racism. The characters in
Huck Finn and the development of these characters clearly take a strong
stand against racism. Twain?s character, Jim, is the center of this
controversy. Jim?s development, as well as Huck?s, and the growth of
their relationship form the structure of the anti-racism message in
this novel.

Twain?s introduction of Jim shows a slave, a ?Big Nigger,? which Huck
and Tom easily trick and make a fool of. Jim is shortly portrayed for a
fool, and for an uneducated ?typical? black man. When Jim meets up with
Huck on Jackson Island, and he tells his story we learn that Jim does
possess feelings and emotions. Jim has risked his life to be a free man
and to work to get his wife and children to freedom. Jim?s development
through the book is shown through Huck?s eye, a young white man, who
has been taught that blacks are inferior and their purpose is to live
as slaves. As the book goes on, Jim grows into a more ?human?
character, with feelings and a heart. The simple fact that we are
seeing this through Huck?s eyes is a strong statement against racism
alone.

Huck?s development is another statement against racism. He is
constantly growing and is forced to fight a battle inside himself. He
must determine whether his mind is right and what he?s been taught to
be true, or if what he feels in his heart is the real truth. We see
Huck heart finally beat his mind and choice to go against what he was
taught and do what felt right. ?All right, then, I?ll go to hell. I
might as well go the whole hog.? Huck decides to h lp Jim in escaping
to freedom, even if it was against what he knew to be moral and right.
This single act is yet another anti-racism statement Twain has weaved
into his novel.

Lastly, not only as individual characters do Jim and Huck support
anti-racism their relationship does as well. Huck and Jim are brought
together by fate, and are drawn to travel down the Mississippi river.
This journey brings them closer together, and both through individual
growth and growth in how they treat each other shows that blacks are
equal and not inferior. As Huck and Jim travel down the Mississippi
together a bond begins to grow. Jim and Huck become reliant on one
another for safety, comfort and even to some degree love. Without even
being aware of it, but by the median of their journey both Huck and Jim
have become dependent on the other for survival. At one point while
Huck?s conscience and heart are still battling, Huck plays a trick on
Jim. Huck returns to the raft after being separated from Jim, and Jim
is ecstatic to see Huck alive. ?En when I wake up and fine you back
ag?in, all safe en soun?, de tears come, en I could ?a?got down on my
knees en kiss yo? foot, I?s so thankful.? Jim reaction makes Huck
realize that Jim shouldn?t be treated poorly or at the expense of
Huck?s entertainment. This is a monumental step, and example of how
Huck comes to realize that Jim equal to him. Huck symbolizes the way
all of Americans, both then and now should think and act.

Twain?s approach of writing this novel is a very true and
straightforward style. He tells it how it was and not how it should
have been. Twain uses a young, confused boy on his journey to discover
the truth about himself as well as the world to symbolize America, and
all of the people that live here. Jim and Huck grow and become closer
together. Huck grows to understand that Jim is no different that him in
the big picture. Huck and Jim?s relationship after Jim is given his
freedom is undetermined, but the history and experiences they had on
the river show a strong bond and connection. Overall the book?s ?cover?
may show a sent of pro-racism, but we should never prejudge anything,
weather it?s a book, or an African-American. In other words, don?t
always judge a book by its cover.

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