Introduction
Mark Twain is best known for his writings, specifically his novels “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Twain is, however, not just an author, but also a controversial figure. One of the heated topics regarding Twain’s work is the issue of racism. Was Mark Twain a racist, or was his work simply an accurate account of the racism that permeated 19th century America? Let’s explore what experts say about Twain and his work, as well as some of the underlying elements of racism in his stories.
Twain’s Fiction and Racism
Twain was born in 1835, in Missouri, at a time when slavery still legally existed in the United States. His upbringing in the fractured southern culture of the period is influential in much of his writing and his portrayal of black characters. Critics have argued that regardless of Twain’s benefaction of anti-racist sentiment, he is still under fire for the representation of black characters in his work.
In the novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, the character of Jim, a runaway slave, has been widely criticized as a “two-dimensional” character that is best classified as a caricature. The character embodies many of the stereotypes which were prominent during the time and rarely shows any real emotional range. Likewise, Twain’s use of language has also been widely critiqued for being overly offensive and racially charged.
The criticisms are less focused on his writings and more so on aspects of his character. Twain was vocal about his dislike for the slavery system and donated a large sum of money to a black school in his lifetime. It has been argued however, that these beneficial actions for black rights were overshadowed by Twain’s use of language and its racial implications.
Perspectives from experts
In recent years scholars have offered varied input on Twain and the issue of racism. Professor Louis P. Masur, in his book “Mark Twain: A Life”, states “Twain’s narratives still offer ways to think about race and racism, racism that has no name but has been called ‘the soft racist society.'”
He argues that Twain portrayed the racism of the time in his writing, which he was no doubt exposed to growing up in the Southern countryside. He also critiques Twain’s tendency to refer to black people as “niggers” throughout his works, noting that while he tolerated the language of the time, writing it down still perpetuated the racism of the period.
Going further in his argument against Twain, Masur references a speech Twain made in Glasgow in 1907, in which Twain commented on his opinion of “colored” people, saying “Considered about their brains, I think the only difference between us and them is that their brains start to decay earlier—at 25—and ours at 35.”
Data On Racism
As far as data concerning the racism in Twain’s work, the American Psychological Association conducted a study on the prevalence of racial stereotypes in “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. The results showed that of the 800+ students studied, 97% believed that the novel perpetuated at least one racial stereotype in some form. This study feeds into the argument of many contemporary scholars who believe that Twain’s use of racism in his stories is extremely problematic, even in the way it was used.
Own Insight
As a provider of a new perspective on the issue of racism in fiction, I believe that Twain was indeed a racist. Despite his seemingly anti-racist sentiments and contributions to black rights, I believe that it is impossible to overlook the subtle racism of language and character stereotypes in his works.
It is important to remember that any language which perpetuates racism is damaging, regardless of if its intent is to educate or not. Even if Twain was not a racist himself, his works still contain messages and language that are racist and this can not be overlooked.
Impact of Twain’s Racism
What is the impact of Twain’s racism? Unfortunately, it can be difficult to gauge. While some have argued that Twain’s representation of black characters in his works has led to the perpetuation of racial stereotypes, others contend that Twain was merely a product of the society in which he lived, and that his stories serve as a historical look-back at the problematic racial ramifications of the era.
Going further, Charu Raheja, a literary critic and professor at the University of California Santa Cruz, states that it is impossible to ignore Twain’s use of racism within his stories. She argues that his work should be read and discussed in context, noting that “Twain should be taken to task for not challenging the pervasive racism of his day in [his] literary works”.
Racism within Racism
Another element to consider is the racism within racism. In other words, the racism that exists between different groups of minorities, such as black and indigenous peoples. Within “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, Jim is portrayed as a naive and “lowly” slave character, while the Native American characters are depicted in an equally one-dimensional and offensive way.
This kind of racism between minority groups, is probably something that Twain himself was not even aware of. At the same time, however, it is something that is relevant today and should be taken into account when discussing Twain’s work and legacy.
Objectification of Black Characters
Lastly, Twain’s use of racism in his stories exemplifies the objectification of black characters in the 1800s. The way in which Twain wrote the characters of Jim and other black characters only serves to support those who looked upon black people as lesser-than and inferior.
This type of thinking was, of course, something which was heavily promoted during the era, and it cannot be overlooked that some of this sentiment was perpetuated in Twain’s work.
Censorship of Twain
There have been numerous movements to censor Twain’s works, many of which argue that his stories are too offensive and need to be altered in order to make them more “acceptable”. While these censoring efforts are understandable, they do bring up a highly relevant discussion about the nature of censorship in our society and whether it is helpful or damaging.
On the one hand, censoring Twain’s work removes offensive language, which can be viewed as a form of progress. On the other hand, censoring Twain’s work may be hypocritical, as it does not address the underlying racism that is within the works and only masks it.
Whitewashing of Racism
Another point to consider is the whitewashing of racism within the current education system. One example of this is the way in which the novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is taught. The language and racial implications contained within the work are often either glossed over or completely ignored.
The result of this is that students are not properly exposed to the racism that was commonplace in Twain’s America and the resulting discussion of it. By not properly educating students about this topic, we are creating a gap in our understanding of racism, which could potentially lead to future issues.
Cross-Cultural Understanding
The underlying racism in Twain’s work is especially relevant in the context of today’s society. In a world that is becoming increasingly diverse, it is important to be aware of the individual’s responsibility to learn and understand cultures outside of their own.
When reflecting on Twain’s work, it is crucial to remember that regardless of our individual opinions, it is important to take into account the opinions of others and to consider the relevance of the contexts in which his work was written. This can lead to a more complete understanding of racism and its effects on our society.
Casual Racism
The casual racism which is still present in modern society is also connected to Twain’s work and his portrayal of racism. Innocuous comments, jokes or other remarks which can be considered racist, are often overlooked or accepted in mainstream culture, something which was also true during the period that Twain was writing.
The fact that this behavior is still prevalent today, is a reminder that racism is still a serious issue that must be addressed. Twain’s works, instead of a representation of racist ideology, can be seen as a reflection of the racism of society at the time, as well as a reminder of the kind of thinking which we still must confront.
Discussion of Twain’s Racism
The discussion of Twain’s racism has been a heated topic for quite some time, and his works continue to raise questions about the use of race in fiction. While it is important to note that Mark Twain was not immune to the racism of his era, it is also necessary to remember that his work is a representation of the attitudes and values embedded in 19th century American culture.
We must look upon Twain’s work both in the context of the past, but also in light of current values. It is only by understanding the way in which these stories were written and seen at the time, which we can fully comprehend the way in which racism, both subtle and overt, is portrayed in Twain’s works.
