Racism in Huck Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can be read as a novel that illustrates the moral growth of a young and naïve teenager as he desperately attempts to escape the perils of civilization. Yet below the surface lies a truly racist attitude. The portrayal of African Americans in this novel is reflective of a racist attitude manifested through the use of language, depiction of African-American characters, and the general attitude towards the African-American race in …

…attitudes in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are prevalent throughout the novel, and can be seen in the language and the depiction of African-Americans. The use of the word “nigger” is common throughout the entire novel, and elevates the racist attitude present within the novel. The overall sense of racism in the novel is appalling, and if taught out of context it could be dangerous for any reader and could spur racial tensions as well.