Racism

How did Huck's views on racism change during his journey with Jim?

Paragraph on Racism Within __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__

Within Mark Twain's novel __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__, Huckleberry is a boy, not yet affected by society, who lives his life believing whatever anyone tells him, until he sets foot on his journey down the river with Jim and some friends along the way. In the beginning, Huckleberry had a strong influence of racism from his father. With this, Huckleberry did not know who to believe as he heard various things from many different people. Huck Finn's father refers to African-Americans as "prowling, thieving, infernal white-shirted free niggers"(49). This is a representation of the influences Huckleberry was put upon throughout the beginning of the novel, before he went out and discovered more for himself. Throughout the story, Huck Finn demonstrated his sense of racism against Jim by implementing the word "nigger" whenever addressing Jim. Since Huck's childhood, Huck's father always addressed African Americans with such vulgar language. An example of this would be when Huck's father decided to go and vote. Once he found out that there was a state that allowed African Americans to vote he detested their kind. As the story progress, so does Huck’s perspective on how he views Jim and his kind. Huck Finn has drastically changed his point of view of Jim at the ending of the story. An example that showed the reader to understand that Huck had changed was when Huck defended Jim by stating "Don't be rougher on him than you are obliged to, because he ain't a bad nigger" (299). He doesn't feel obligated to insult Jim, one of the reasons is because ever since Huck ran way, Jim's been by his side ever since. Even when Jim himself was in danger because he was sold and held captive, Huck would do anything to free his friend. Although, since Huck’s childhood he's father always mentioned how African Americans were nothing but slaves, Huck never took the image of his father by prejudice against African Americans. Instead of other people mistreating Jim, Huck wanted Jim back to where he belonged: home, for the best of him. Eli, Raul Comment of Praise:

Throughout the paragraph there are great uses of in text citation and quotes. Also there is great use of diction, such as the words “implemented”, “vulgar”, “detested”, and “prejudice”.

Comment of Constructive Criticism:

Some of the sentences need more variety to them when pertaining to sentence structure. Also, there is a lot of word usage to say one thing, and some sentences are a repeat of the one before or after. Last, the last sentence reads in a weird way.

Question:

There is a quote that has been portrayed to be said by Huck in your paragraph. Isn’t that quote actually spoken by the doctor that helps Tom Sawyer? “Don't be rougher on him than you are obliged to, because he ain't a bad nigger" (299). -Ciara, Maddux

Toward the beginning of the novel __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__, the main character Huck Finn had an extremely prejudice and racial view toward Jim. A reason that played into his racism was the fact that his father started teaching him racism at a young age. His father never told him any better than to be racial to others. Also he never had a motherly figure to each him about the world and its life lessons and views. As the novel continues and as Huck grows as a character we start to see his views change toward racism. As he met Jim and started to befriend him more his thoughts of racism started changing slower and more clearly of the thoughts and views taught to him by his father. An example of how Huck and Jim started to bond as friends is when Jim first takes him for ride down on the Mississippi River. The scene that is portrayed between the two of them on the river is an excellent example of how Huck's views on racism are slowly changing for the better. Huck’s view on racism begins to shift as he spends more time with Jim, he feels the positive effect he puts on Huck, and Huck enjoys it. Riding down the Mississippi River Huck feels that despite all the racism he and Jim enjoy and feel the same about the world. In the end of the novel we see just how dramatically Huck has changed. He went from the boy who surrounded himself in racism and hatred grows and morphs into a mature person who believes more in equality and peace. For example there is a point in the book where Huck actually defends Jim. In all Huck Finn changed majorly throughout the novel going from racist to genuinely caring for the people around him despite the race of someone. Alex, Jaime Pro: Good diction choices. Ex. “The scene that is portrayed” and “extremely prejudice” Con: remember to uses present tense when analyzing a novel. Ex. “His father never told him” or “started” should be starts Question: What is intended when you mention, “his thoughts of racism started changing slower?” -Owen, Keith, and Chaz

What we meant by that was that Huck’s thoughts weren’t instantly changed as he befriended Jim. It still took a little while for Huck to realize that racism is an evil thing and that him and Jim are the same on the inside. Alex and Jaime

As the novel begins, Huckleberry Finn is influenced by the racist bigotry that runs rampant through the South. For instance, one night that Huck is tagging along with his friend Tom, the two come across a slave who is owned by Mrs. Watson, who is named Jim. Huck and Tom have some fun with Jim at the man’s own expense. At this point in the novel, Huck views Jim as, "Mrs. Watson's nigger,” not as an individual person. Huck Finn’s attitude towards Jim and racism changes while he is on the raft with Jim. However, this is more of a gradual change rather than an epiphany like moment. Only now does Huck start to see Jim more as a friend rather than property as they spend more time together floating down the river. As the two begin to bond on the raft, a special understanding between Huckleberry and Jim develops. Huck Finn starts to see past the color of Jim's skin and structures a relationship and ultimately a friendship with Jim. Though Huck Finn still views Jim as a "nigger," he is seeing Jim in a whole new light. Towards the end of the story Huck sees Jim more as a friend than an item, but still doesn't view a "nigger" on the same level as him. One reason for this is because Tom, who greatly influences Huck, does not see that African American’s are on the same social level as that of whites. One example of this is when Tom believes that Jim wouldn't understand sawing off his foot because he is black. But in reality Tom has such a ridiculous plan that no one would agree to such a plan. In the end, Huck starts to see past social injustice and views Jim as an equal counterpart. By Owen, Keith, and Chaz The overall paragraph was very well written. There were a few grammatical errors throughout. Also some of the sentences didn’t make sense. For example, “the two come across a slave who is owned by Mrs. Watson, who is named Jim.” Your diction was very moving in the beginning such as “rampant” and “bigotry”. However some word choices were not up to par. And finally I would appreciate an explanation of your last example about the “sawing off of his foot.” What exactly does this have to do with racism? Sawing off feet isn’t really caused by race, more by just plain decision.

In Mark Twain's //bildungsroman//, __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,__ the eponymous character's view on racism evolves tremendously throughout his journey. In the introduction of the novel, Huck makes generalizations based on the views of society and accepts stereotypes as the truth. Huck Finn slowly begins to realize that the assumptions that he makes about Jim, and other colored people, are of poor judgments. Huck's original biases are displayed when he states, "I see it warn't no use to wasting words--you can't learn a nigger to argue. So I quit" (88). Beforehand, Huck acknowledges that Jim has an "uncommon level head for a nigger" (84). This revelation presents Huck's former bias as well as the contradicting qualities the Huck discovers in Jim. Huck Finn's perception of race reaches a direct turning point when he deceives Jim into believing he had merely dreamt that the storm had separated them. Realizing he had been tricked, Jim denounces Huck for making "a fool uv ole Jim wid a lie "(94). Huck pledges never to engage in any more "mean tricks," (95) due to the distraught and disappointed mien conveyed by Jim. However, the most dramatic and climactic turning point for Huck's views was when he accepted his supposed fate of going to hell as a consequence for freeing Jim from slavery. This is perhaps the most significant event in the entire novel because of Huck's rebellion against societies' bigotry completely, and he "never thought no more about reforming"(232). By Danielle, Sabrina, Zoe We really enjoyed your use of quotes and the diction used in your paragraph. It beautifully sewn together, and flows very nicely through the use of your transitions (such as “In the introduction” and “Beforehand”) However, your paragraph did not extend much past the turning point in Huck’s relationship with Jim and the racism that he overcame. We did wonder, however, whether you believed that Huck’s upbringing with his racist father contributed toward Huck’s initial beliefs, or whether it was strictly “based on the views of society.” We considered Huck’s father to be a part of society in the opinions on race because they have similar views.

In the bildungsroman novel //The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn// by Mark Twain, a 13 year old boy named Huckleberry Finn journeys down the Mississippi River, where he develops a broader perception of racism. He begins his voyage secluded on a raft with a slave named Jim, a runaway slave once owned by Huck Finn's adopted family. Unaffected by societal views, Huck is more of a fair-minded towards Jim, and doesn't shun him with the opinions of the world. It’s only when Huck starts to encounter different views that he begins to take them upon himself, and plans a way to keep Jim from obtaining his freedom. However, Huck's conscience gets the best of him, and he decides to help Jim rather than give him to slave traders. This is Huck's pivotal turning point in the novel and sets him on a path to a realization that will forever change his views on slavery. He discovers more about Jim's personality, and forms a friendship that lasts throughout many adventures. He comes to the understanding that even though Jim is black, he has the same mind and emotions as someone who is white. Ciara, Maddux -Good intro "broader perception of racism", first three sentences provide good background as well as the idea of racism; showing how Huck’s age is influential - use quotes from the novel; provide more explanation based on the message you want to get across -Danielle loves "pivotal" -What is Huck’s perception of racism in the beginning of the novel?

Adventures of Huckleberrry Finn: Racism

In Mark Twain's literary wor k, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, we are faced with racism as one of the many topics in the novel. The main character obviously Huckleberry who has befriend ed and trusted the character named Jim, an African Am e rican slave for the W i dow. In the beginning of the novel Huckelberry was racist because of his surroundings and wh a t he was taught from his peers. As Huckleberry evovles on his voyage, he learns f or himself that you can not base your opinion or judge a person before you know them. Furthermore, Huckleberry becomes more open minded throughout the novel and becomes not as judgemental of others. As time progress in the novel Finn gains trust, honesty and friendship with Jim. In other words, Jim is no longer looked at as a good for nothing Black man by Huckelberry. In the end, Huckleberry gains his own insight and opinon on life and how to percieve others that are not his own color. Moreover, Huckleberry is not as bias as thought to be. He comes to learn the multiple disapp ointments that come with being a slave. Huck found that "slaves"are seperated fro m their families. He recieved this insight, when Jim had spoke n of choosing freedom over his family and never forgiving himself. Everyone's impression and observations of Jim w ere always positive. For example, Huckleberry's first impression of Jim was "..I thought he had a good heart and was a good man, the first time i see him."( Twain 215). Another character that had observed Jim was the doctor that helped Tom after he was shot. He mention ed he had "...never see a nigger that was better nuss or faithfuller, and yet he was resking his freedom to do it, and was all tired out, too, and I see plain enough he 'd been worked main hard, lately." Furthermore the doctor goes on to say " I liked that nigger for that; I tell you, gentleman, a nigger like that is worth a thousand dollars and kind treatment too" ( Twain 213 ). B y the end of the novel, huckelberry's voyage helps him learn that racism is not all that it is cracked up to be. Even though Jim and Huckleberry only had each other, they proved that there is hope and good in people. To conclude, Huckelberry Finn faces the evils of racism, but over comes it when seeing the dignity in all human beings no matter their colo r. Maria And Reneisha Eli & Raul to Maria Reneisha: To commence, we thought that your paragraph was good in context, and you incorporated the quotes in a fair manor. However, there are some minor details that should not be overlooked such as the title not being underlined or italicized. We also did find some spelling errors within your paragraph for example, he was “resking” his freedom. Who proof read your work in order to ensure that your content was designed to satisfaction to be viewed for the public?

Those who have proof read the paragraph, in order to ensure that our content was designed to satisfy the views for the audience were Reneisha and Maria. Also, the word “Resking” is used as part of a quote said by Jim. Maria and Reneisha

In Huckleberry Finn, one of the major themes throughout the novel is racism. The main character, Huck Finn is generally a very racist individual at the beginning of the book. He holds the view of most Caucasian boys during the time that Negroes were meant to be slaves and deserved little to no respect at all. While they are on the journey "down the river", Huck and Jim grow on each other. Through trials and tribulation they become good friends and Huck learns to give respect to those different from him, particularly those individuals who are Negroes. Huck realizes that Jim isn't that bad at all and is just like everyone else. Before he reaches this conclusion though Huck has many debates with himself wondering if he, in anyway is "wronging" Widow Douglas by not reporting him to the authorities. Towards the end of the novel Huck helps Jim escape the evil clutches of slavery once again and learns that racism is a narrow minded way of looking at people in society and nothing good can be gained through this outlook on life, meanwhile helping helps his friend realize the same. Mia, Sabrina, Kaylee

This summary is well structured and we agree that Jim and Huckleberry grow on each other. The novel’s name should be underlined and your thoughts should be more detailed (more cited examples). Did you believe that the impact of the journey affected Huckleberry’s stand against slavery? Maria and Reneisha Yes without the journey Huck would have had no reason or influence to change his opinion.

Analysis of Racism in __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__

In Mark Twain's __The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn__, Huck exhibits a plethora of moral growth from the beginning of the story to the conclusion. In the beginning of the novel, Huck displays his attitude toward other races through his internal monologue which states that he thinks that "Jim was 'most ruined for a servant," because of his boasting about "having seen the devil" (Twain 7). Huck's almost condescending manner toward Jim is based upon what he feels to be proper behavior toward African Americans. Being brought up in a home where racism is common, Huck is often the subject to derogatory comments about Negroes from his father. However, Huck seems to believe that behaving in a superior manner toward Negroes is not only a social norm, but also what is expected of him. Further on in the story, Huckleberry Finn, again, demonstrates his attitudes toward African Americans (in this particular instance, Jim) when he shares with the reader that it took him a substantial amount of time for him to “humble himself” to a Negro (Twain 95). Huck’s character development begins to change when he decides that he cannot turn Jim into the slave hunters because Jim had become his friend and transcended the racial barrier that had previously separated them. Shunning what he believes to be socially acceptable, Huck solidifies his friendship with Jim and eliminates some of his personal prejudices. This moral growth later blossoms in the book as Huck takes care to protect Jim throughout the remainder of their journey. Huck even begins to view Jim as an equal, stating that he believes that Jim is white inside. Monica Samantha Zachary Response to Monica, Samantha, and Zachary Pro: The paragraph they wrote had great vocab and sentence structure. For example, “Huck exhibits a plethora of moral growth from the beginning of the story to the conclusion.” Con: One thing that could have improved slightly was citing and giving more examples of how Huck changed. For example instead of “Moral growth…” you could have talked about his view on racism. Question: How and what do you mean by “…Jim is white inside” Alex, Jaime In response to Alex and Jaime, when we stated that Huck believes that "Jim is white inside" we were trying to display Huck's attitude change when he started viewing Jim as a man comparable to the other Caucasian people that he looks up to in his life. Realizing that Jim has strong family values, and that he cares very much for others around him, Huck attributes these characteristics to Jim being similar to others that he idolizes, which are all white people. Samantha, Zachary, and Monica