Comparisons of Fictional Characters and the Society during 1800-1850 - Essay Example

Comparisons of fictional characters and the society during 1800-1850 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Introduction Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn provides an account of the American society during the first half the nineteenth century, even though it was published later on in early 1885. The novel is usually believed to be among the significant American literature that profoundly used fictional characters and plot to depict the then socioeconomic and political dynamics within the society. The novel is renowned for its vivid account of the life of the common man; the polite nature of the society; the quest for the elimination of slave trade and the government structure among the communities that inhabited Mississippi River between 1800 and 1850. Lampooning a Southern antebellum civilization that had become dormant for about two decades, before the publication of the literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn provides a closer analysis of entrenched injustices in the society such as racial discrimination and the weaker role of women, which were later reversed, perhaps as a result of Twain’s effective literature. The Common Man in 1840’s America In an effort to depict the true nature of the common man of the 1840s, the narrative begins in imaginary Langlem, Missouri, which is a hamlet adjacent to the Mississippi River. The culture depicts the significance of the first steamboat, which served as a means of transport for the average man down the Mississippi River. The society is largely conservative, as it is evident in the manner in which the lads Huckleberry Finn and Thomas 'Tom' Sawyer are experiencing better fortunes and hope following their earlier discoveries in the society, Huck is depicted to be living under the protection of the Widow Douglas1. Douglas is joined by a female sibling Miss Watson, purposely to enlighten Huck on the new social dynamics which affect the community. Though their subject acknowledges their efforts, he benignly rejects the new civilization, as confining. Polite society The novel illustrates the qualities of a polite society, and this is apparent even in the wake of social diversities. For instance, Huck positively has a soft spot for Wilks' descendants, who handle him with politeness and consideration, so he attempts to frustrate the grifters' intentions by siphoning away the treasures bequeathed to him by his kin. Nonetheless, when he is confronted with the tricky situation of the possible discovery of his financial plans, he is left with no option but to conceal it in Wilks' casket, which is interred in the first light without the character getting a glimpse of whether the cash has been discovered or not. The coming in of the two characters who appear to be the genuine male siblings, of the deceased complicates the issue when their verification details fail to correspond to the documented ones. This is a manifestation of politeness in the society, where the necessary formalities must be fulfilled to get to offer the rightful his or her property. If not for politeness, Huck may not have be wary of the possible discovery of his intent; rather he probably would have sat firmly and readied himself for possible confrontation. Abolition of Slavery in the Antebellum South The abolition of slavery is depicted in the novel. For instance, as the story begins, Tom Sawyer seems briefly, aiding the escape of Huck at nightfall. The exercise is carried out from his detention, past Jim. Jim is Miss Watson's servant, who is constantly on the receiving end due to the prevailing slave trade. They elopers encounter the renowned Tom Sawyer's squad, who organize and intend to implement adventurous offenses to retaliate the ill-treatment of the weaker populations by the mainstream society2. It is notable, though, that life is altered by the swift manifestation of Huck's slothful father, Pap who is a violent individual, perhaps under the constant influence of alcohol. The attempts to abolish slavery sometimes met stiff resistance in the American society; and this is manifest in the way Huck demonstrates great achievement in deterring his father from obtaining the control of his finances, but Pap effectively gains control of Huck, however. As a result, the two relocate to far-flung areas where Huck is restricted within his father's detention facility. Eventually, Pap fails to enjoy the treasures. Huck elopes from the detention facility, disguises to be dead, and frees himself of the life that was comparable to the real life slavery. The character moves along the Mississippi River, towards the mouth where he encounters Jim. Politics and government in the South A closer look into the nature of politics and government in the South as depicted in the novel suggests the significance of hereditary kinship and governance revolving around pedigrees. This is depicted in the way Jim and Huck step in to rescue two sly grifters into their vessel. The younger one of the two rescued individuals, a middle aged man, claims his lineage to the Duke of Bridgewater, adding that he is indeed his father's heir apparent. The elder one, who is almost an octogenarian, then refutes the Duke's allegation by suggesting that he is in fact the Lost Dauphin, the child of Louis XVI and successor of the French Kingship. Though he persistently mispronounces the title of the leader as "Bilgewater" as the conversation progresses, this is a clear indication of the impact of colonial powers in the 1800-1850 American society. The character of Jim Throughout this novel, Twain provided an account of the dire need of the American society to obtain freedom during the 1800-1850. The literature covers the American society dynamics triggered by a strong response of the mainstream whites against black minority population. Through Jim, Twain highlights the need to abolish slavery; the support politeness and courtesy; the nature of politics and governance in the South, which was largely controlled by colonialists; and the life of the average man during the first half of the nineteenth century. The general notion that African Americans were sub-human is largely portrayed in the character of Jim, whose character sends the clear message that freedom was posh, and would be a positive development in the society. Bibliography Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. London: EDCON Publishing Group, 2008. Read More