Discussion Topic
The influence and reasons behind Mark Twain's use of realism versus romanticism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Summary:
Mark Twain uses realism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to depict the harsh realities of American society, contrasting with the romanticized views of the world. This approach allows Twain to address serious issues like slavery, racism, and moral dilemmas in a more authentic and relatable manner, while critiquing the impracticality and naivety of romanticism.
Why did Mark Twain use realism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
When Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a book Ernest Hemingway would later call the "grandfather" of American literature, Twain was writing about the American experience. One of Twain's first jobs as a writer was to travel out West to record the experiences and events of the huge migration there. He wrote articles for newspapers in the East and for Americans who wanted to know about the excitement of settling untamed wilderness. These stories often included a look at the miners during the Gold Rush, small towns that sprang up out of nowhere, and the humorous, often uneducated settlers who held frog jumping contests.
Let's remember some of the elements of Realism:
- First person narrator; the narrator often controls his own destiny although elements like laws and society get in his way. The development of the character is more important than plot.
- Language (vernacular), slang of the everyday person; regional dialects
- Truthfulness of events; reality of what's going on
- Satiric criticism; poking fun at people, government, and institutions.
Mark Twain was a master of Realism during The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He used an impressionable 13-year-old to make the trip down the Mississippi River with Jim, a runaway slave. Huck was his own person (for a while the reader would wonder if Huck would make it to that point) and would "light out" when society became too restrictive. Twain also painstakingly used the regional dialect of Missouri and Arkansas as Huck floated into new territories. Twain was also able to effectively recreate the black dialect of Jim and other slaves. Huck was a true American character, and Twain used Huck as an example of the "rugged individualist" who created his own destiny and values. In the end, Huck is not influenced by society but strikes off on his own even if he will "go to hell" to get away from the pressures society places on him. Finally, Twain used the novel to express his views about people and institutions. Twain used satire to ridicule the ignorant hillbillies or the South, the institution of slavery, tradition (Shepherdsons and Grangerfords), and religion (King and Duke). Using satire, he was able to express his opinions on issues of the time and reach more readers.
The examples of how the novel is an example of Realism are endless. Twain expressed realistically the American experience of the 1840s.
How does "Realism vs. Romanticism" theme influence The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain?
Realism vs. Romanticism is a major theme that is satirized, it appears, continuously throughout the novel. However, this analysis focuses on Twain's use of Tom Sawyer's character. In Chapter 2, Tom gets Huck to sneak out in the middle of the night. At one point, Tom discusses the importance of having an "official" oath for the gang which includes various stipulations if it is broken. The idea of kidnapping and ransom is brought up, and Tom responds by saying, "I don't know. But that's what they do. I've seen it in books; and so of course that's what we've got to do"(Chapter 2). Here is a classic example of Twain satirizing Romantic writers of the past and present. Tom Sawyer has read countless adventure stories involving robbers and pirates etc. However, when it comes to basic knowledge and workings of crime, he knows very little. Twain's input of Tom's ignorance further establishes how ridiculous the genre of fantasy and romanticism truly is. Also, Tom's romantic notions continue in the last quarter of the book during the plan for Jim's escape from the Phelps' farm. Tom Sawyer insists on the importance of having an authentic escape plan involving Jim which includes making the slave out to be a character imprisoned in a medieval dungeon rather than a small outhouse/hut. Some of antics include: making a rope ladder, creating a coat of arms, writing on a grindstone to leave messages. Huck narrates,
"MAKING them pens was a distressid tough job,and so was the saw; and Jim allowed the inscription was going to be the toughest of all. That's the one which the prisoner has to scrabble on the wall.But he had to have it; Tom said he'd GOT to; there warn't no case of a state prisoner not scrabbling his inscription to leave behind, and his coat of arms"(Chapter 38).
By including these silly and superfluous tactics, Twain, again, points out the ridiculousness of fantasy/Romanticism by painting Tom Sawyer to be a fool, or a Romantic, caught up in the moment rather than appreciating the true situation at hand: allowing Jim to escape so he can be free from the bonds of slavery. Overall, Tom is the Romantic while Huck is the Realist.
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