11/02/07
Mark Twain's Views on Slavery
A topic for discussion when reading Huckleberry Finn is Mark Twain's views regarding the flaws in Huck's society, including slavery. Mark Twain was aware of the flaws of Huck's society, most notably slavery, and included his views against them into The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Mark Twain's knowledge outside that of Huck's is reflected in the end decision to free Jim. A person who believed that slaves should remain slaves would not have included this decision, and one of the various times that Huck could've sent Jim back to the widow, he would have, such as on the river with the slave catchers. After that event, Huck decided to do “whatever was easiest”, which actually turned out to be hiding Jim's identity as a runaway slave even when revealing Jim would have more immediate benefits.
He also promoted the slaves, usually thought of as property, as human beings with emotions. This is supported by ironic statements from Huck, such as “Even though it didn't seem right, he missed his family almost as much as a white person would”.
The examples of choices going against society by Huck reflect Mark Twain's knowledge of the flaws of Huck's society.