Huck Finn The Twisting Tides Of Portrayal - Racism Essay

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In recent years, there has been increasing discussion of the seemingly racist ideas expressed by Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In some cases, the novel has been banned by public school systems and even censored by public libraries. Along with the excessive use of the word, â€Å"nigger,† the basis for this blatant censorship has been the portrayal of one of the main characters in Huck Finn, Jim, a black slave who runs away from his owner, Miss Watson. At several points in the novel, Jims character is described to the reader, and some people have looked upon the presented characterization as racist. However, before one begins to censor a novel it important to distinguish the ideas of the author†¦show more content†¦It is also important to remember that this description, although quite saddening, is probably accurate. Jim and the millions of other slaves in the South were not given or allowed any formal education, were never allowed any independent thought and were constantly maltreated and abused. Twain is merely portraying a very realistic slave in the South during that time period. To say that Twain is racist because of his desire for historical accuracy is absurd. He simple strives to show a true representation of society’s view of slaves. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Despite the few incidences of which Jims description might be misconstrued as racist, there are many points in the novel where through Huck, Twain voices his extreme opposition to the slave trade and racism. In chapter six, Hucks father fervently objects to the governments granting of voting rights to an educated black professor. Twain wants the reader to see the absurdity in this statement. Hucks father believes that he is superior to this black professor simply because of the color of his skin. In chapter 15, the reader is told of an incident which contradicts the original quot;childlikequot; description of Jim. The reader is presented with a very caring and father-like Jim who becomes very worried when he loses his best friend Huck in a deep fog. Twain is pointing out the connection between Huck and Jim. A connection which does not exist between a man and his property. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;When