Minorities In Huckleberry Finn Research Paper

In the early and mid-1800s, millions of African Americans were held in slavery, and millions of Native Americans were forced out of their homes. Discrimination against black and native american individuals was common and often considered socially acceptable. Attitudes towards minorities did not improve throughout the 19th century because the influence of society often overpower your inner voice of reason.
The Indian Removal Act was signed in 1830. This act forced millions of Native Americans to leave their homes. Cherokee tribes were forced to endure a horrendous journey referred to as the “trail of tears” and thousands died. Today, many wonder how this was ever allowed to happen. The answer is simple: people believed Native Americans were inferior as a result of propaganda created by society. Ideas such as manifest destiny were used to justify the inhumane treatment of minorities. An image called “American Progress” by John Ghast painted a picture of a giant woman in white representing destiny pushing west past Native American tribes. Various pieces of
In Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn, nearly every person Huck encountered displayed extreme racism and many owned slaves. Mrs Watson owned Jim, who she planned to sell him, separating him from his family. Pap stated that, “it was 'lection day, and I was just about to go and vote myself if...but when they told me there was a State in this country where they'd let that nigger vote, I drawed out. I says I'll never vote agin” (Twain 27). Since every major influence in Huck’s life had similar belief, he displayed this behavior at times as well. For example, when Huck played a mean-spirited prank on Jim, he stated that “it was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger” (Twain 87). At one point, Huck wrote a letter to Mrs. Watson stating that Jim had run away and was being held by the Phelps, as he felt extremely