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Realism In American Literature

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For something to be “important”, (Oxford English Dictionary ) it must be of great significance/value, having high rank/status or of artistic work significantly original and influential. We must give it significance through its impact. Descriptions above should complement Twain. While some critics and civilians believe the book shouldn’t be given shelf space, other renown literary creators have said “It is a master piece… Twain’s genius is completely recognised.” (Elliot). It is without question that the book encompasses technical artistic value in terms of its style, plot and language. Also, being one of the primal introductions to realism in American literature it was novel in its form. Although it could be said that the emotional …show more content…

In politics, periodically the arts, and varies institutions in life formality equates to importance. Whereas in Huckleberry Finn, perhaps this binary is reversed. The initiations into the world of realism for American writers also possesses artistic calibre. Ernest Hemmingway stated it is “The best book we’ve had” and that all American writing stems from it. (James S. Leonard, 1992). The setting of the novel, before the American civil war (but written after it) depicts a wound in the birth of America as much as its healing. Its factual preciseness adds to the illusion of realism “When authorities mention the historical setting of Huck Finn they suggest it is an accurate, factual portrayal of the way things were in the slavery days”. (James S. Leonard, 1992) The omniscient, first person narrator “You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name “adventures of tom sawyer” but that aint no matter” and personality in tone (which are also stylistic features) must too …show more content…

The relationship between Huck and Jim personifies Americas relationship with racism at the time. Huck realizes the importance of the treating Jim as not only ad a companion or friend but as a human being. That is not before his ill treatment of him initially where Huck plays pranks on Jim for example when Huck throws Jim’s hat in a tree, or makes him write in his own blood on a t-shirt simply to please Huck. The transition between treating Jim as person rather than property is humanely fulfilling even though Huck believes he is truly sinning. “All right, I’ll go to hell... It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said.” And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming”. The word “nigger” is used 218 times in the novel so Twain does not shy away from offence, and the word was assuredly offensive when writing the novel as it is in twenty first century society. In chapter two the word is introduced “Miss Watson’s big nigger

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