Prejudice In Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the main character, Huckleberry Finn has the reader accompany him through his wild adventures while in search of freedom from both his father and civilization. While on Jackson’s Island, the place where Finn chooses to reside to after leaving home, he reunites with a slave named Jim from his town. Together, the two travel through Jackson's Island, have some unpredictable moments and eventually form a tight bond despite Huck’s prejudice in the beginning. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn intrigues the reader because it has many likable elements to it; specifically the thrilling moments that leave the reader craving more and the valuable, positive message embedded in the novel. The combination
In the beginning of the novel, Huck is prejudice towards Jim because of Jim’s African American background. However, Finn begins to show care for Jim after Jim gets harmed by a rattlesnake that Huck strategically placed near Jim’s belongings as a harmless prank. After seeing Jim’s injury, Finn states, “I made up my mind I wouldn't ever take aholt of a snake-skin again with my hands, now that I see what had come of it.” (Twain 40). This quote shows minor shift in Huck’s attitude towards people of color. Even more of a shift is evident towards the end of the novel when Huck admits that he thinks Jim is a genuine, good person, and states, “But somehow I couldn't seem to strike no places to harden me against him, but only the other kind.” (Twain 161). The book itself shows Huckleberry Finn slowly transforming into a person with better moral views after leaving civilization. It sends the powerful message that one should and judge one another for who they are as person, not based on skin color; it also reinforces the idea of treating each and every individual with respect. It is a valuable lesson that will leave the reader feeling positive and