English Literature. Was Mark Twain a Racist?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Bibliography

Introduction

For several years following the publication of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the world classics by Mark Twain, one question has remained and still remains in the heated debates in the literary circles – was Mark Twain a racist? The relevance of considering such a heated topic of discussion has been augmented by the fact that this important novel, otherwise regarded as a classic novel, has been taken away from the school curriculum in several districts in the past decade and has been censored by some of the public libraries. It was clarified that many readers were offended by the book’s frequent use of the word “nigger.” There is markedly two prominent views regarding the issue – on the one hand, some people consider the novel as a manuscript that contributes to the racist tendencies of America and, on the other hand, there is a large number of critics and readers who hold the view that such a view is the result of narrow-minded outlook and prejudiced world view. “Defenders say the book, the product of another era, vividly and realistically portrays important aspects of 19th-century American life. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jane Smiley added fire to the controversy in an article in Harper’s Magazine last year when she suggested that Twain’s feelings about slavery and race were ambiguous at best, as depicted in the relationship between Huck and the runaway slave Jim.” (UVa Library Press Releases 1996 – 1997, Important Mark Twain Letter Acquired By U.Va. Library).

Main body

However, in my opinion, it is not very difficult to come to a reasonable conclusion and I can be based on the primary evidence and reasoning, strongly make the declaration that “I do not believe he was racist.” Anything other than such a view can only be regarded as the result of some superficial understanding and reading of the novel. In a well-meditated and profound analysis of the novel, it becomes clear that Mark Twain was never a racist. Significantly, well-reflected considerations of Twain’s wisdom and humanity, the humor aspect and the satiric intent in the novel, and a severance made by the reader between the ideas of the novelist from the ideas of the characters will further augment the argument suggested by my statement.

Although there is a serious interpretation by several critics, based mainly on the understanding of the word “nigger,” which states the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to be a racist novel, to any reader who understands clearly what is Twain’s wisdom and humanity, such interpretations are preposterous. It is pertinent to respond to such views by certain critics who obviously touch a raw nerve and it is significant to understand that the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was identified, by Ernest Hemingway, as the source of all American literature. It is most remarkable that such critics who hold the critical opinion fail utterly to make the pertinent distinction between the characters of the novel and the view of the novelist and they also do not consider the satiric objective of the novelist. “For Twain’s critics, the novel is racist on the face of it, and for the most obvious reason: many characters use the word “nigger” throughout. But since the action of the book takes place in the south twenty years before the Civil War, it would be amazing if they didn’t use that word. A closer reading also reveals Twain’s serious satiric intent.” (Is Huck Finn a Racist Book? Peter Salwen). Such a closer reading of the novel makes the clarification that Mark Twain had no intention of attempting a racist novel and that he was just representing some of the social situations of America at the point of time. An analysis of the character of Huck, his upbringing, his relation with Jim, along with the consideration of the presentation of the character of Jim by the novelist as well as some of the crucial views by the black critics, will explain how some critics fail in understanding Mark Twain as a racist. “Because of his upbringing, the boy starts out believing that slavery is part of the natural order; but as the story unfolds he wrestles with his conscience, and when the crucial moment comes he decides he will be damned to the flames of hell rather than betray his black friend. And Jim, as Twain presents him, is hardly a caricature. Rather, he is the moral center of the book, a man of courage and nobility, who risks his freedom – risks his life – for the sake of his friend Huck… Booker T. Washington noted how Twain “succeeded in making his readers feel a genuine respect for ‘Jim,’” and pointed out that Twain, in creating Jim’s character, had “exhibited his sympathy and interest in the masses of the negro people.” The great black novelist Ralph Ellison, too, noted how Twain allows Jim’s “dignity and human capacity” to emerge in the novel.“ (Is Huck Finn a Racist Book? Peter Salwen).

Mark twain has thirty-plus volumes of novels, stories, essays, and letters to his credit. In all these writings along with his private letters, his posthumous autobiography, and his cherished journals, there is hardly a derogatory remark about the black race and it is remarkable that all these were the products of a time when rudimentary racial stereotypes were the basic coin of popular fiction, stage comedy, and popular songs. In all these writings what one finds, instead of racial remarks, is “a lively affection and admiration for black Americans that began when he was still a boy and grew steadily through the years.” (Is Huck Finn a Racist Book? Peter Salwen).

Any shot to criticize the novel as racist writing should be attempted only after an analysis of the novel which separates the ideas of the author from the ideas of his characters. It is also central not to take the novel and for that reason any novel, at face value. What is pertinent is to “read between the lines” in order to capture the underlying themes of the novel. “If one were to do this in relation to Huckleberry Finn, one would, without doubt, realize that it is not racist and is even anti-slavery. On a superficial level Huckleberry Finn might appear to be racist… However, it is important not to lose sight of who is giving this description and of whom it is being given. Although Huck is not a racist child, he has been raised by extremely racist individuals who have, even if only subconsciously, ingrained some feelings of bigotry into his mind. It is also important to remember that this description, although it is quite saddening, was probably accurate… Twain is merely portraying by way of Jim, a very realistic slave raised in the South during that time period. To say that Twain is racist because of his desire for historical accuracy is absurd.” (Racism In Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn). It is, therefore, most necessary to consider the novel as it is and such an untainted close analysis of the novel Huckleberry Finn will make the clarification to any prejudiced attempt to see mark twain as a racist. It is true that the novel has few events in which Jim’s description might be misconstrued as racist. However, more importantly, there are several incidences in the novel where the novelist, through the character of Huck, expresses his severe opposition to the slave trade and racism. Thus, the relation between Huck and Jim is very obviously narrated in the fifteenth chapter of the novel and it is a kind of relationship that never exists between a master and a slave. It is also remarkable that by the end of the novel, both the character of Huck as well as the reader realize that Jim is not someone’s property and an inferior man, but an equal. “Throughout the novel, society’s voice is heard through Huck. The racist and hateful contempt which existed at the time is at many times present. But, it is vital for the reader to recognize these ideas as that of the society and to recognize that Twain throughout the novel disputes these ideas. Twain brings out into the open the ugliness of society and causes the reader to challenge the original description of Jim. In his subtle manner, he creates not an apology for slavery but a challenge to it.” (Racism In Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn). Thus, any interpretation of the novel which ultimately aims to see Mark Twain as a racist is absurd and meaningless.

It is most relevant to examine the life of Mark Twain as well as to analyze the content and intent of his most controversial book, Huckleberry Finn in order to come to the ultimate conclusion on the question of whether Twain was a racist or not. The upbringing of the novelist, just as that of the character of Huck, seemed to be an ideal breeding ground for a racist. Thus, Mark Twain grew up in the slave state of Missouri and his father, several times in his many business enterprises, was a slave trader. However, as time passed by, it came to ban obvious fact that Twain was very much against the views of racism. Any attempt to consider him a racist will not be held true by his autobiographical analysis. More significantly, a vigilant assessment of Huckleberry Finn, the novel under suspicion, will establish that the book is far from being racist. “After all, one of the main themes of the book is a white boy helping a runaway slave – hardly a racist theme. Perhaps the most convincing evidence of the non-racist content of the novel is in the scene where slave catchers are rowing toward Huck and Jim who is hidden on the raft. The slave catchers ask Huck, “Is your man white or black?” Huck struggles mightily with the customs of his race and then bravely blurts out, “He’s white.” For a Southern white man who grew up with slave owners it would probably be impossible not to find some elements of our 20th century definition of racism. However, to call Mark Twain a racist is a fallacy and does a disservice to the contributions he made in the area of colloquial speech, folklore, and narration. Mark Twain was far from being a racist. People who still persist in calling Mark Twain a racist should reread Huckleberry Finn and especially Twain’s preface.” In the preface, it is clearly stated that people who attempt to find any type of bad intention in the novel need to be disregarded with all the strength. (Part 2: Was Mark Twain a Racist? The Legend of Mark Twain).

In ultimate conclusion, it is significant to understand that the celebrated novelist Mark Twain was never a marked racist. “Clearly, much controversy remains about whether Mark Twain had racist attitudes and whether he displayed those attitudes in his works, especially Adventures of Huckleberry Finn… Clearly, Twain used his writing to work through issues of race for himself and his society… Despite the culture surrounding him, Twain understood deeply that racism is wrong. For Twain to have depicted in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn a young hero who questioned racial inequality and an African American who was caring, compassionate, and strongly committed to his freedom was revolutionary indeed.” (Why Huck Finn Belongs in Classroom). It is most often a critical question whether twain is a racist and the views that try to make him a racist can only be regarded as a contemptible notion. “Many people can argue whether or not his use of certain words, say for instance, the ‘n’ word, is meant as an insult therefore denying the book “The Adventure of Huckleberry Fin” (where Twain uses the so called ‘n’ word) entry to schools. The whole idea of that is ridiculous.” (Mark Twain is racist?) a profound understanding of the novel clearly states that Mark Twain, instead of being a racist, was promoting anti-racist views through his famous novel Huckleberry Finn.

Conclusion

It is true that some of the critics level charges against Twain and contempt him as a racist. “These claims that Huckleberry Finn is racist are not simply attempts to damage the image of a great novel. They come from people who are hurt by racism and don’t like seeing it in any context. However, they must realize that this novel and its author are not racist, and the purpose of the story is to prove black equality.” (Huckleberry Finn – A Racist Novel?). Thus, in final conclusion, it becomes clear that, although there are critics who make prejudiced charges against twain as racist, the only valid remark that can be arrived at in a deep meditated analysis of the question is that twain was never a racist.

Bibliography

UVa Library Press Releases 1996 – 1997, Important Mark Twain Letter Acquired By U.Va. Library). Web.

Is Huck Finn a Racist Book? Peter Salwen. Web.

Racism In Mark Twain’s. Huckleberry Finn. Web.

Part 2: Was Mark Twain a Racist? The Legend of Mark Twain.

Why Huck Finn Belongs in Classroom. Web.

Mark twain is racist? Web.

Huckleberry Finn – A Racist Novel? Web.

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English Literature. Was Mark Twain a Racist?

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