The Establishment of a Thought Process Through Extrapolation

When one sees an extreme difference in society in a text, one can never imagine the time period and ideals expressed when the piece was written. Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tries to eliminate such a problem. Mark Twain utilizes Huckleberry Finn as a primary narrator to express his views on those ignorant of the racial and social standings around them. Twain's point of view at the time was very negative toward racial and social issues, and his tone is expressed through the narration and plot direction, while Huck represents the neutral perspective of the time.

Throughout the book, Huck describes concepts in a nonchalant way that does not conincide with Twain's obviously vulgar material. Such when Huck is witnessing the duke dressing up Jim as a sick arab. He describes it with uncaring and without surprise, as it is an everyday event. "Then the duke took and wrote out a sign on a shingle so- Sick Arab - but harmless when not out of his head" (Pg. 159) and Huck blandly shows the prejiduces not only to African slaves, but of any nationality that is not caucasion American.

Additionally, words that are normally used as durragotary, or in an angry fashion, are simply listed by the main character. Twain obviously chose specific words in the book to express the racial standings in society, but also to show how ignorance can fuel the words. Throughout the book, Huck addresses Jim as a "nigger" and consciously talks about how dumb they are, yet he considers Jim a father figure throughout the book.

Therefore, the narration and plot direction in the book express Twain's negative outlook on the society he lived in. When the author lands on a touchy racial topic, he broadens it to an extent that is almost unbearable in this day and age. He continually brings up stereotypes and how untrue they are. The book labels stereotypes of African slaves, such as being highly hostile "(saying that) if I hollered, he'd cut my livers out" (Pg. 214). Contrarily, Huck describes Jim as the character with the most caring for him, and the least hostile aggression towards anything, including the race that enslaved him.

Thus, Huck Finn is the character in the book that is meant to represent the blank slate. He supports the story with his blind ignorance, but Mark Twain utilizes him as an ignorant main voice, that shows the negative consequences of issues at the time. Once one sees the social commentary, one can argue that Twain was against all his society stood for. Twain definitly helps the reader imagine the ideals of the book and the time period it was written.