Human Nature: Exposed
More than a century ago, Mark Twain probably composed the single-most
important piece of American Literature to ever be composed. This work, widely
known as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, essentially follows young Huck on a
series of adventures and experiences with his close friend (and runaway slave),
Jim, as they both escape society's burdens. The novel, in a sense, encompasses
everything good, bad and in between about and concerning the society of that
time. A majority of the novel takes place along the Mississippi river, with
Young Huck, and Jim each striving to attain a common goal, freedom from the woes
of society. In their journey, they come across many different people, ...
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For instance, take the
scene in Chapter 20 where a group of people in Arkansas are listening to the
sermon of a preacher. In this descriptive passage, it can be inferred through
Twain's writing that the average person of this time was in fact "blinded" by
religious influences. The significance of this event can be observed later on
in Chapter 21 where Twain describes the horrific abuse of animals. "There
couldn't anything wake them up all over, and make them happy all over, like a
dog-fight--unless it might be putting turpentine on a stray dog and setting fire
to him..." (Twain 140). In putting the two preceding passages in perspective a
distinctive irony becomes visible. The same type of individuals whom practice
religion in good faith turn around and perform cruel acts to animals, for sport
of all things. This is hypocritical because the basis of religion is definitely
not to support or defend such acts, but that doesn't seem to have any adverse
affect upon the ...
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of such senseless killing, for reason which aren't even known by
the ones fighting, is quite disturbing to say the least. Twain most likely
included this in the novel in order to show us what makes humans so savage and
cruel, to kill without reason.
The instances in which Twain, through his writing, exemplifies mankind
as cruel are not limited to the ones described in the proceeding. The instance
in chapter 30, where the Duke and King sell Jim to Mr. Phelps for 40 dollars
illustrates what cruel acts man will resort to just to attain personal wealth.
The following quote illustrates how the Duke and Kings cruelty impacted Huck.
"...but it warn't no use--Jim was gone. Then i set ...
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"Human Nature: Exposed." Essayworld.com. December 22, 2003. Accessed April 26, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Human-Nature-Exposed/267.
"Human Nature: Exposed." Essayworld.com. December 22, 2003. Accessed April 26, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Human-Nature-Exposed/267.
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