Huckleberry Finn Racism Quotes

Words: 753
Pages: 4

In the Mississippi Valley, racial ideologies and discrimination are a daily part of life in the 1820s and ‘30s. Slavery and mistreatment of African-American rights was a prevalent theme of the time period. This is best exemplified in Mark Twain’s novel, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” which was written in 1884. Mark Twain does an exceptional job detailing and describing the undertakings of Huck Finn and Jim, a run-away slave, as they go on an escapade to escape the problems of society. Throughout the book, the Mississippi River is a symbol for freedom and the growing up of Huck, alongside Jim. As they move along it, they leave the discrimination and racial ideologies behind to form an unbreakable friendship. The magnitude and importance of Jim is highlighted in chapter two, page five, “Ni**ers would come miles to hear Jim tell about it, and he was more looked up to than any ni**er in that country. Strangers would stand with their mouths open, same as if he was a wonder.” Jim’s intelligence is evident from the first mention of him in the novel. As Jim and Huck first meet each other, both think very little of what is to come. Their first true relationship is built when they are trying to run away from their own individual …show more content…
He often done that.” Even though it was Huck’s turn to be the watch, Jim hadn’t woken him. This symbolizes Jim’s friendship with Huck because he wanted Huck to sleep, rather than having him wake up and take his shift as the watch-out. As they floated down the river, the racial ideologies had ceased to continue. Huck no longer viewed Jim as a slave, but as a friend. Mark Twain’s interjection of impactful changes in their relationship shaped the novel because the idea of slavery and discrimination is left behind as Huck and Jim flow down the