Huck Finn is Anti- racist and there are many scenes and arguments that support this idea.
- Jim is portrayed well- this is the first time in American literature that a black person is characterized.
- Jim and Huck's transformation- they are on this adventure TOGETHER
- "...there after us"- no one is after Huck. Jim is Huck's friend and he wants to help Jim get freedom
-Huck defies society to help Jim- Huck goes into the town to see if anyone is after Jim, tears up the letter about having Jim to Ms. Watson, "he's white" defends Jim so he won't get caught
- Jim isn't as dumb as they (people of the time) portray him- the three tricks: when Huck hangs Jim's hat in the tree- "rode by they witches" ,the snake, and the Fog. Jim gets offended that Huck thinks he's so stupid- he trusted Huck as a friend
- Humanizes black people- same as above
- racist characters not a racist book- all racist characters are ass holes
- Huck believes in Jim- tears up letter- "I'll go to hell"
- River vs. Shore ----> Reality vs. Society. Huck is contaminated by society. Its when he goes into society that he is mean and racist to Jim. The river is reality, this is when Jim is a PERSON
Why it SHOULD be taught:
- closest thing to a national epic
- if the n-word didn't mean anything today we wouldn't care that it was in Huck Finn
- n-word was the operative word at the time- Twain going for reality
- not about race---> about America---> getting away from society and the "shoulds"
- good literature transforms the audience
- have to teach b/c fundamental American liturature ---> first time black person is characterized
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThis very comprehensive post seems a good start to defending the novel against the charge of its being racist. You'll need to identify those critics who will be most useful to you (the critics who argue against your position may be most useful, in that you can use them as 'foils'). In any event, I look forward to seeing your first draft on Thursday!