Huckleberry Finn

1 Pages 275 Words

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain designates Huck as an outsider in order to supply him with an honest perspective on the early nineteenth century American society’s position on issues involving slavery. Twain initially reveals society’s stance on slavery through the outcast by presenting Huck’s misgivings about assisting Jim to freedom. Therefore, Huck’s convictions reveal that society instilled the notion that slaves were property and should not escape to freedom. Also, Huck comments that he would rather go to hell than turn Jim over to the authorities, furthermore revealing the idea promoted by civilization that helping a slave was a moral issue resulting in eternal damnation. Additionally, Huck has difficulty humbling himself and apologizing to Jim after the separation in the fog. This dramatic scene highlights the early 19th century doctrine that slaves were foremost property and subsequently human beings. Moreover, as Huck apologizes to Jim, he breaks every societal code or standard regarding the treatment of slaves by humbling himself before a nigger. Also, Huck is surprised by Tom’s willingness to aid him in the rescue and release of Jim. Huck’s reaction continues to display the societal beliefs pertaining to slavery, because Huck expects from Tom as from the rest of civilization to receive condemnation for his actions. However, it is later revealed that Tom committed to aid Huck based on the knowledge that Jim was already a free man by Miss Watson’s will, thus demonstrating that society would disapprove of Huck’s assistance to Jim. Twain uses Huckleberry Finn’s interactions with Jim on the Mississippi River to reveal society’s perspective on slavery....