Essay about Realism and Naturalism in American Literature

Words: 1077
Pages: 5
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Katelynn Craig
English 3883
Dr. Charles DeShong
15 March 2013
Realism in Huckleberry Finn Between the end of the civil war in 1865 to about 1910, two styles of literature dominated American literature: realism and naturalism. Realism presents the world as it really is. One of the well known writers of realism, William Dean Howell’s, wrote “realism in nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material.” Realism in literature tends to be the plain and direct account of whatever is being written about. Writers of realism fill their work with facts to complement the readers’ feelings of the fact that these things can happen in their everyday lives. Realists are sure to write about normal, everyday people, living …show more content…
He has to choose to either uphold society’s views or go with what he feels is the right and moral way. Society sees that black slaves are inferior, mistreated, and regarded as untrustworthy and good for nothing but what they are. In regards to school, Huck does not agree with the fact that it is unimportant or a priority. He eventually is able to attend regularly and excels. He finally values his education. When encountering the conmen, Huck first believes that stealing and conning the way they do is just something that has to be done to survive sometimes. As time progresses, he realizes this act is wrong and even helps a fellow girl collect money before she is conned out of it. Huck’s biggest change is the one we see in his treatment of Jim and his view on slaves as a whole. He finally branches out of the mindset that black is inferior and starts to grow fond and bond with Jim. Through their travels Jim becomes a companion and a figure in Huck’s life he’s never had besides Tom. Jim is his friend. Huck shows that he is willing to defy society and even religion to do what he believes is right, “All right, then, I'll go to hell.” Huck grasps his sense of self and is able to decide on his own no matter the consequences what is right and wrong.
Twain is able to communicate a message to readers about issues so controversial in this time period. He uses the mind of a young boy, not yet grown into
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