The Theme of Race and Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Study of Huck’s Evolving View of Jim and the Concept of Freedom
The Theme of Race and Racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Study of Huck’s Evolving View of Jim and the Concept of Freedom
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain delves deeply into the theme of race, using the character of Jim, a runaway slave, to challenge societal norms and the institution of slavery. Huck’s evolving view of Jim—from seeing him as property to eventually recognizing his humanity—is central to the novel’s exploration of racism and freedom.
Huck’s relationship with Jim becomes the lens through which Twain critiques the prevailing racial prejudices of the time. While Huck initially conforms to the racist attitudes of his society, his personal experiences with Jim on their journey down the Mississippi River force him to question the morality of slavery and racial discrimination. Twain uses this shift in Huck’s perspective to highlight the hypocrisy and immorality of the social system that enslaves people based on race.
At the core of the novel, the concept of freedom is intricately linked to Huck and Jim’s journey. While Huck seeks freedom from the constraints of his abusive father and society’s expectations, Jim seeks freedom from enslavement. Through their friendship and shared experiences, Twain explores how race and freedom are inextricably tied to the social and moral fabric of America.
