This essay analyzes the race relations that existed in Huckleberry Finn. Several examples from the novel are cited.

Essay by starcraftgoddessHigh School, 10th gradeA+, January 2004

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During the 19th century, there was a great separation between the black and white populations. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain expresses first-hand experiences between the two racial groups by evaluating their relationships. Although there was a great racial atmosphere in this novel, a bond was formed between a white boy and a black gentleman. Their friendship proved that the white society's perspective towards this minority group was a misconception. Blacks are just as humane and capable as whites. Huckleberry's father, however, did not agree with that judgment.

In Chapter 6, Pap complained to Huckleberry about how corrupted the government was. He considers a black college professor inferior to him because of his skin color. He also would not vote anymore, because blacks were allowed to vote. This conspicuous speech uncovered Pap's hypocrisy. Pap is an abusive drunkard who has no right to believe that he is superior to blacks in any manner.

This is one of few instances in which whites degrade blacks.

Many people accuse this novel of being racist. They must take into consideration that this book was written in the nineteenth-century, and the language in this book was the true dialect, as Mark Twain stated in the explanatory. Twain is not racist at all. He believed slavery was inappropriate and thus made Jim a competent character. There were very few occurrences in this novel in which whites shame blacks. However, there were several instances in which whites showed compassion for blacks or conversely. One relation that the book focused on was the friendship between Huckleberry and Jim.

The first evidence in which Huckleberry disregarded the white society's racism occurred when he met Jim on the island. When he spotted Jim, Huckleberry said, "I bet I was glad to see him." Jim's presence made...