When thinking of Mark Twain, what often comes to mind is his iconic literature, such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. However, there has been little discussion of Mark Twain’s actual views on slavery. Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835. At the time, slavery was a prominent part of American culture and Twain’s views on the issue were related to his upbringing in Hannibal, Missouri. Hannibal, a river town on the Mississippi, was a slave-owning community and Twain likely had contact with enslaved people throughout his childhood. Yet, Twain’s views on slavery can still be difficult to discern, because his writings often employed sarcasm and satire.
To get an understanding of Mark Twain’s views on slavery, we can look at some of his writings. The book he is best known for, Huckleberry Finn, was published in 1884. The novel follows Huck’s journey down the Mississippi River and his friendship with a runaway slave name Jim. While the novel did not directly address the issue of slavery, many readers saw Twain’s view reflected in the plot and dialogue. Jim is presented as a beloved character, someone who is kind and generous, and at times he is more of a father figure to Huck than anyone else in the novel.
Twain also wrote a number of stories and essays on the topic of slavery, such as “The Private History of the ‘Jumping Frog’ Story” and “The United States of Lyncherdom”. In these works, Twain did not explicitly address the issue of slavery, but rather used satire and sarcasm to highlight the injustice and cruelty of the system. For example, in “The Private History of the ‘Jumping Frog’ Story,” Twain wrote about a slave auction, which he called “a degrading spectacle.” His writing in this story and others express a clear condemnation of the system of slavery.
In addition to his writings, other evidence suggests that Twain was a critic of slavery. One of the most notable examples is his involvement with the Anti-Slavery Society. This was a group that Twain wrote for, spoke for, and associated with, showing suggests his strong opposition to slavery. Historians also found a letter he wrote in 1895 in which he directly expressed his disapproval of the practice, saying “there is nothing more atrociously cruel than slavery.”
To sum up, while it is not entirely clear what Mark Twain’s personal views on slavery were, his writings and actions suggest that he was an opponent of the practice. Twain’s use of satire and sarcasm was successful in showing the unfairness and cruelty of the system. His works, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, have become iconic reminders of the history of slavery in America.
The Impact of Slavery on Mark Twain
Growing up Mark Twain and the harsh reality of slavery were indelibly linked. As a child in Hannibal, Missouri and the surrounding area, it was impossible to go anywhere without being reminded of the power of slavery and the institution’s impact on people, both enslaved and non-enslaved. Blacks were required to be in the company of “free” white persons, and were not allowed to participate in recreation other than church services. Twain was aware of the inequity and received several first-hand accounts of life for slaves. Through these stories, Twain was able to gain insight into the harsh realities of slavery and that mindset shaped his later writings.
The novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a clear example of Twain’s thoughts on slavery. By refusing to accept the lazy stereotypes of blacks in popular literature, Twain strives to create a powerful and moving story of a young white boy and a runaway slave heading off together on a journey. Framing the comedic aspects of the story within a deeply serious and even tragic backdrop of societal injustice and racial inequity, Twain makes a bold statement about the ills of slavery and its continued effects on America.
Another example of Twain’s stance on slavery is found in his 1869 travel book, Roughing It. In the book, Twain exposed the institution of slavery by noting how African Americans were “slaves of fashion” who were “forcibly thrust into uncongenial atmosphere” and subjected to unequal wages, even when paid to do the same work as whites. This commentary was included alongside his other observations of the American West, turning the journey into a treatise on topics such as the power of racism, the economic disparities of the nation, and other such topics.
The writings of Mark Twain make a point about life for the everyday person struggling to make a living, but can be analyzed to unearth subtle political messages about the nature of American society. Twain’s use of satire and satire can be seen to serve a dual purpose—not just to make his book entertaining, but to illustrate the grievances he observed first-hand growing up with slavery in North America.
How Others Viewed Mark Twain’s Perspective on Slavery
Historians, literary critics, and fans have debated the issue of Mark Twain’s opinion towards slavery for decades. While opinions vary on whether or not he was unequivocally against the institution, the general consensus is that Twain’s stance was complex and nuanced. His time researching in Missouri for his book Life on the Mississippi has long been cited as evidence of his beliefs about slavery. In the book, Twain went to great lengths to document the human cost of slavery, providing a detailed account of the oppressive conditions in the south. By including this information in his book, Twain made it abundantly clear that he saw slavery as a wrong and an injustice.
In addition to Twain’s writing, his habits and behavior in everyday life also demonstrate his stance on slavery. For instance, it is reported that Twain was an active supporter of the Anti-Slavery Society and even performed live readings to raise money for the cause. His reading of The United States of Lyncherdom was met with mixed reviews, but was applauded by many anti-slavery activists for bringing attention to the injustices in America.
Not everyone shares the same view of Twain’s perspective on slavery. Some argue that he largely avoided speaking about the issue and others view him as a racist, citing passages from his works in which he marginalizes African Americans. Despite these different perspectives, the consensus among many historians is that Twain was an outspoken opponent of slavery who used his writing to draw attention to the wrongs of the institution.
Twain’s Own Perspective on Slavery
Despite the varied opinions of contemporaries and historians, the only way to truly understand Mark Twain’s view on slavery is to look to his own words. His works, particularly The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Roughing It, were both part-entertaining and part-addressing among other things, the horror and violence of slavery. Through his writings, Twain sought to ensure that readers of the book would confront the realities of the institution and understand it for what it is.
Twain hoped to achieve this by not shying away from the graphic details of slavery and to demonstrate the power of empathy that overcomes racism. For example, Twain’s description of Huck’s moral crisis about helping Jim escape to freedom and eventual realization of his own moral agency highlights the power of basic human shared humanity. The power of Jim’s friendship also serves to expand Huck’s understanding of the world and challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes.
Many of Twain’s stories weave together a variety of themes including racism, hardship, and slavery. His style of storytelling and the characters he created often reflect the realities of the society he witnessed in Hannibal, Missouri. By writing stories with characters like Jim, Huck, and Tom Sawyer, Twain enabled his readers to confront the racial inequalities of the past and to sympathize with the African-American’s plight.
The Residual Effects of Twain’s Writings on Slavery
The works of Mark Twain have had an immense influence on American culture and the issue of slavery remains an important topic to this day. While his story of Jim and Huck is seen as an example of racial reconciliation and overcoming prejudice, it also serves to remind us of the long and complex history of slavery. In many ways, Twain’s works have become part of the American identity and the unresolved issues of racism remain a prominent issue in modern society.
Many of Twain’s stories are still taught in classrooms today, while others are still adapted into stage productions, film, and television. It is no surprise that Twain’s works continue to be relevant today and serve to bring the complex history and residual effects of slavery to the surface. His stories help to remind us of the suffering many endured and continue to live with today and offer an example of how we can move forward as a society.
The popularity of Twain’s works suggests that his views on slavery are still relevant today and continue to inform our conversations about race and society. Through his stories and social consciousness, Twain was able to challenge the historically negative portrayal of African Americans and provide a different perspective to the issue of slavery.
Conclusion
Mark Twain’s strong opposition to slavery was evident in his works and actions. Through his writings, Twain sought to challenge traditional stereotypes about African Americans and address the ongoing injustice of slavery head on. His works have become iconic reminders of the long and complex history of slavery in America and Twain’s stories will continue to inform conversations about race and the residual effects of slavery for generations to come.
