Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

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Historians call the book Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain the “start of all American literature.” I don’t understand why, of all the books produced before, after, and around this period of time, Huckleberry Finn is the chosen story to be the start of American literature. The fact that this book is considered by many a “classic” is simply baffling. If the book is truly a “classic,” why is it banned from so many school and libraries?

First of all, the book has many examples of racism throughout. While it is arguable that the purpose of the book was the exact opposite, the representation of racism is much more evident. To call this book a “classic” is to say that racism is okay and is a part of the American culture. Additionally, the colored people …show more content…
As far as I can tell, there was no plot. Every couple chapter could have been expanded and turned into its own book or short story. While the episodic format worked for To Kill A Mockingbird, it was a huge failure for Huckleberry Finn due to the lack of connection between chapters.

Furthermore, there was little character development throughout the book. How could there be? Every four chapters, an almost entirely new set of characters were introduced. First, you have the Widow Douglas and Pap, but by the fifth chapter, those characters are moved out of the story, and barely referred to again. The only prominent display of character development is seen through Huck and Jim’s relationship. Even then, it shows more of the wonders of friendship.

I believe the only reason this book is considered a “classic’ and the “start of all American literature” is because of its brutally accurate historical accuracy. Putting the racism of the time aside, Twain voices many Americans’ opinions on topics by the use of satire. He makes fun of the idea of government through Pap’s drunken monologue and human gullibility through the Duke and the King. However, I’m sure there are plenty of other books that voice these opinions that actually have a plot adding slavery into the

Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

In The Pictures of Huckleberry Finn, the conflict is man vs society. Finn is undecided whether he should follow his own morals and belief in freeing Jim, or to turn in the escaped slave and give into the “sivilized” society. Racism and slavery are the main themes in the book and in American history. Finn has trouble fitting into society because of his social awkwardness and disagreements on slavery. He assists Jim on a raft up the Ohio River to go to places where there is not any slavery. For example…

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Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

Twain was born on November 30,1835 in Florida, Missouri which was a slave state during his childhood. Throughout his works Twain would incorporate his experiences of the institution of slavery into his writings. Mark Twain wrote the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn years after slavery was abolished. Twain set the novel in a time period were slavery ,during the 1840's, was not abolished. During the time the novel was set in Southern society was accustomed to forcing African-Americans to…

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Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

controversial and bold novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is able to express detailed journeys of life in the South during the mid-nineteenth century because he grew up in the South (Jackson). In fact, he often uses his native land as a setting in order to provide a more accurate portrayal of the adventures that his characters partake in, especially Huckleberry Finn (Jackson). Much like Huck, Twain struggled through his early life and had a troubled…

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Religion In Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

affects everyone, just like it did to Huckleberry Finn, in the controversial novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this novel, the role of religion is significant because it shows Huckleberry’s relationship with religion, it demonstrates how Huckleberry and his slave companion Jim prefer superstition over Christianity, and it is a symbol of how religion was taught in the society of…

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Religion In Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

progressively become less and less religious. Although it may seem normal to young people, it scares those of the older generation who have relied and experienced religious activities for a large portion of their life. In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain satirizes how people continue to disobey the Bible but still call themselves Christian. Being a Christian and Bible follower himself, Silas Phelps is a farmer and preacher. In the town, Silas is considered a…

Words 425 - Pages 2

Silent Spring - Rachel Carson Essay

Silent Spring Rachel Carson Online Information For the online version of BookRags' Silent Spring Premium Study Guide, including complete copyright information, please visit: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-silentspring/ Copyright Information ©2000-2007 BookRags, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The following sections of this BookRags Premium Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography…

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