Jim Intelligence In Huck Finn

Everybody has someone in his or her life who teaches him or her how to be a better person. Throughout the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses Jim, a slave, as a source of symbolism for Huck’s maturity. First, Jim teaches Huck about what it truly means to be civilized. Next, Jim shows Huck about the value of family. Lastly, Jim teaches Huck about racial inequality and how to accept people. In Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim teaches Huck about civilization, family, and racial inequality.

Living in the 1800s was a very confusing time for a thirteen-year-old American white boy named Huckleberry Finn. African people were faced with inhuman acts of slavery, prejudice, and discrimination. Choosing between what was right and wrong was a challenge, especially for Huckleberry Finn. Huck’s peers tried to corrupt him into believing that slavery was the norm and black people were to be shunned. Mrs. Watson, for example, was Huck’s adoptive mother whom consistently told Huck to not associate with people of the African culture. The Widow Douglas, Mrs. Watson’s sister, also worked on impairing Huck’s perception of slavery. Their idea of being “sivilized” was to support the enslavement of Africans. Mrs. Watson and Widow Douglas, as well as

Smiley, an author of many books and magazine essays, writes her own criticism of Huckleberry Finn, “Say It Ain’t So, Huck”. Smiley has very strong arguments as she compares her own opinions and backs them up with Twain’s words from the book. Smiley argues that Twains real meaning behind the book is based off of racism. Twain never allows Jim to become a real human, as Jim will always be a slave whether he knows it or not. Although Huck and Jim end up creating a very strong relationship like brothers, Smiley believes that “Twain thinks that Hucks affection is a good enough reward for Jim” (Smiley 460). He would not ever get the treatment Huck did, and Jim’s character was never allowed to grow.

In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck and Jim bond closely to one another, regardless of the fact that they belong to different ethnic groups. Huck, a coming-of-age teenage boy, lives in the Southern antebellum society which favors slavery. At the beginning of the book, Twain claims that “Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; and persons attempting to find a plot will be shot” (Twain 2). Ironically, through his experiences with Jim, the uncivilized Huck gradually establishes his own moral beliefs, although sometimes struggling against the influence of society.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an American classic, it was the starting point for all great American Literature. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been awarded all of these honorable titles because of its abnormal and controversial plot line. During the time period when the book was written, it was unacceptable to view African- American’s as anything other than slaves. They were viewed as inferior to whites and were treated like property, they had no rights. The main character of the book, Huck, disagrees and disobeys these norms and pushes the boundaries of society when he becomes friends with a slave from his childhood; Jim. As the book went on, Huck is in a constant argument with himself about his feelings toward Jim. Throughout

Individuals often say that the right way may not necessarily be the popular way, but standing up for the right thing, despite it being frowned upon, will be the true test of one’s moral character. This relates to the moral growth that Huck Finn experiences throughout his journey. Mark Twain’s controversial novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, can be said to be a compelling story about how one individual, Huck Finn, goes against society’s ideals. Huck’s moral development can be said to be based primarily on those around him, especially Jim. Many instances also influence Huck’s morals, particularly during the raft journey that will change his beliefs and morals. Although there are numerous instances where Huck’s moral growth can be seen, the individuals around such as Jim, will influence his moral growth greatly.

Famous novelist, Mark Twain writes his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, to criticize the moral conditioning of society. Twain satirizes racism through slavery as Huck, the protagonist, goes on a journey with Jim, a freed slave, that he helps in escaping. Huck feels guilty throughout the journey because in helping a slave escape, he goes against the social ethics of society. His journey teaches himself that what society taught him is morally wrong, and he is willing to burn in hell to make things right. Twain uses satirical irony, mockery, and absurdity to achieve his purpose in criticizing the treatment toward African American slaves.

The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a story about a young boy who is trying to find who he is during the civil war. In this novel by Mark Twain it speaks about this young boy, named Huck, and how his original morals are beginning to change while he helps free his friend Jim, who is a slave. Though People have argued that this book uses many racial slurs that demoralize the African American race. Though there is solid reasoning why those are not Mark Twain's true intentions. In the book it shows how Jim differs from other White men who cheat others, the novel also describes the white and black symbolism, and shows empathy for Jim. These reasons all give solid evidence on how Twain is not intending to

The black man on the back porch is afraid of the rattle snake because it is bad luck, or the innocent little slave is quick to believe everything one tells them at the drop of the hat. These are just some of the many racist stereotypes of the 1840s. A character named Jim is the star African American whom Twain bestoys the mission of being the stereotypical black man to prove a point. He along with his much more pallor companion Huck go on exciting adventures that unfold the events which expose the racist conduct of the time. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain saturates his novel with potent images of acute racism severe enough as to create a satirical mien that exposes the absurdity of prejudice.

One can be seen more as a piece of property than an actual human being just based upon the color of their skin. For Jim being a slave, he is separate from society based on the fact that whites do not see blacks as equals. For example, after Huck raids the wrecked ferryboat and calls it an adventure, Jim replies with not wanting adventures because there is a chance of him being caught and sold back into slavery. Hucks reaction to Jim’s knowledge was surprising since he didn 't believe a black man can have such a level head (Twain 76). In the same sense, it is seen as morally incorrect for him to have any common knowledge equivalent to a white person. Society values depriving one of their human qualities such as intelligence and since Jim differs in race, it is seen as okay. Moreover, often highlighted in the values of this society is

Martin Luther King Jr., a pioneer for the Civil Rights movement, wrote an inspiring letter while imprisoned at the Birmingham jail, in Birmingham, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr.’s main point of this letter is to show the effect of non violent protests to combat racism. He is doing that because he wants African-American people to be patient because nonviolence is the best answer, and in the end they will get what they want, eventually getting the equal rights they deserve. One time in the letter that King really exemplifies this is when he says, “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights.” My original thought after reading this was that King wrote an effective letter from inside the Birmingham jail that

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn consists of, “Sound heart and deformed conscience come into conflict, and conscience suffers defeat.” Twain makes this remark about his book. Huck, the protagonist, is born and raised into an extremely racist society; most of the population owns slaves and do not recognize their humanity. Huck embarks on a journey with Jim, a runaway slave, and eventually Huck and Jim grow to be very close and fond of each others company. Huck contradicts societal norms and battles his conscience on whether or not he should save Jim. Ultimately, Huck’s perseverance leads him to challenge society’s beliefs and save Jim.

In Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain criticizes the social injustice of racism and dogmatic codes of the religious. Twain discusses the racial issues through examples of the treatment and belief of white superiority over blacks. In the evolution of the relationship between Jim and Huck, Twain also discusses the topic of racism. Lastly, Twain reinforces the moral ambiguity of a people that are full of contradictions; those who often appear to be good but are deeply prejudiced slave owners. Throughout this novel, Twain shines the light on the issues of racism and illogical religious hypocrisy, highlighted by selfishness and cowardice.

In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huckleberry Finn and a runaway slave Jim are two people that cross paths and become friends. Huck is a boy escaping society and society's morals. Jim is also escaping from society's laws to gain his freedom. Jim and Huck develop a close relationship during their journey on the raft and the relationship could be viewed as a father-son relationship. Jim is portrayed as a father figure to Huck because of Jim’s caring nature and always looking out for Huck. The relationship between Huck and Jim grows strong throughout the novel due to the journey down the Mississippi river, Huck’s evolution, and Pap’s treatment of Huck.

In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the racist attitudes of the Deep South in the late 1800's are shown. Mark Twain portrays a runaway slave, Jim, as a racist caricature who does whatever is asked of him and exhibits little intelligence.