In this master's thesis, Mark Twain's famous novel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is analyzed to examine its depiction of slavery and racism. The text illuminates the historical and literary background of the late 19th century in order to understand the influences on Twain's life and work. A detailed corpus analysis of the novel shows how Twain portrays race relations sarcastically and critically. The essay addresses the controversial debate surrounding the book, in particular the accusation that it is an example of racist trash. It concludes by arguing that "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" can be interpreted as an anti-slavery novel that advocates better understanding between the races.
The aim of this paper is to prove that Mark Twain's novel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" neither advocates slavery nor demeans black people. Instead, it depicts race relations of the late 19th century in a critical and sarcastic manner and can be considered an anti-slavery novel.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- ,,An Amazing Troubling Book“.
- Mark Twain in His Time: The Historical and Literary Background And Its Influence on His Writing
- Racism and Slavery in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- The Debate about the Novel: The \"N-Word\"
- The Treatment of the Race Issue Throughout the Novel
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as an Anti-Slavery Novel
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to critically examine the depiction of slavery and racism in Mark Twain's *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* and argue that the novel, despite its controversial language and themes, can be read as an anti-slavery work. The analysis will explore the historical context surrounding the novel, delve into the debate surrounding the use of racial slurs, and analyze the treatment of race throughout the narrative. The key themes explored include:- The historical and literary background of the late nineteenth century and its influence on Twain's writing
- The controversial debate surrounding the use of the "N-word" in the novel
- The portrayal of racism and slavery in *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*
- The possibility of interpreting the novel as an anti-slavery work
- The importance of considering Twain's intention and the complexities of satire and irony in understanding his message
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by introducing the debate surrounding *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, highlighting the novel's complex and controversial nature. It establishes the significance of understanding the historical and literary context of Twain's writing to fully grasp his message about race relations. The analysis then dives into the novel itself, examining the use of the "N-word" and the broader treatment of race within the narrative. It explores the various interpretations and criticisms the novel has faced, particularly regarding its portrayal of slavery and racism. The paper aims to provide a nuanced analysis of the novel, acknowledging the problematic aspects of its language while demonstrating the possibility of interpreting it as a work that challenges the injustices of slavery and racism. However, it avoids revealing major conclusions or spoilers from the final chapter or conclusion.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key concepts explored in this paper include *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, Mark Twain, racism, slavery, anti-slavery literature, historical context, satire, irony, literary analysis, and the controversial use of the "N-word" in literature. The paper focuses on understanding Twain's intention and the complexity of interpreting his work within the context of its historical and literary setting.- Quote paper
- Sonja Lankenau (Author), 2024, The Depiction of Slavery and Racism in Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckeleberry Finn", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1468219
