Bennett Csukor

Mrs. Seaton

Period ｽ

5 January 2011

Huck Finn: A Critical Interpretation

Oftentimes, when one considers the atrocious act of slavery and its downfall here in America,

the fact that an extremely racist society persisted for many years is overlooked. While the American

Civil War brought an end to slavery in the South, it had no power to dismantle the hatred and

superiority that many whites felt towards black Americans at the time and for many years to come. In

Mark Twain's “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, this is illustrated by the characters and

relationships that are developed throughout the story.

It is evident from Huck and Jim's relationship that although they consider each other friends,

there still resides traces of a racist upbringing in Huck's speech and conduct towards his friend. Huck

demonstrates this racist quality many times throughout the book by playing tricks—endangering

Jim's life the first time and humiliating him the second—on Jim who is not only his only ally on this

journey, but has also becomes a close friend and father-like figure to Huck. Huck's repeated use of the

“n” word when referring to Jim elucidates a society in which white children were taught that they

were superior to blacks and, although it is apparent that Huck is less racist then his speech warrants,

the flaws of a culture in which this type of language was not only acceptable but in many cases

encouraged are obvious.

Another example of racism in the book is in Tom Sawyer's attitude towards Jim and his lack

of concern for Jim's well being and safety. Tom comes back into the book after we have not seen him

for a while, and it appears as though he genuinely wants to help Huck free Jim who was recently

recaptured. Later, Tom selfishly tells Huck that his relatively simple plan to free Jim is insufficient

because “it's too blame simple, there ain't nothing to it”. Tom, revealing his true intentions, goes on to

ask “what's the good of a plan that ain't no more trouble than that?” It is plain and simple: Tom's only
reason for wishing to take part in Jim's escape is that he loves adventure, and would risk Jim's safety

—or even his life—in pursuit of a thrilling time. Toward the end of the book, Tom shows anger, even

disgust, when he is informed of Jim's reimprisonment after their fantastic breakout attempt.

Indignantly, he proclaims, “they hain't no right to shut him up! . . . He ain't no slave; he's free as any

cretur that walks this earth!” While one might argue that this perceived concern for Jim's freedom, it

is discernible from his previous actions that Tom demonstrates a racist attitude which was clearly

instilled by his peers and mentors.

Racism is a problem that has always been, and will continue to exist as long as different races

exist. If, by some miracle we manage to inter-produce so much as to produce one race, we will find

some other “reason” to hate each other, whether it be height, weight, ethnicity, religion—these are

already common “reasons” for hating our neighbors—or any other number of things. Hatred is to

some as flying is to birds, as swimming is to fish, as breathing is to man.

Recently, it has been announced that a new version of Huck Finn will be released omitting

usage of the “n” word and the racial slur “injun”, pertaining to Native Americans. I am of the opinion

that this would not do the book justice. Twain had a purpose in using these disgusting, hateful words,

and it was not be inappropriate or to insult, rather to inform. By showing Huck, an adolescent boy

who has befriended a black man, to use these dirty words, Twain has effectively demonstrated the

way in which these terms and opinions were ingrained in people's heads and the fact that slavery had

been abolished did nothing to change people's racist attitudes and upbringings and, as in Huck's case,

the reality that try as they might, they would have an extremely difficult time removing this chip on

their shoulder.