Twain paints a disturbing image of the morals and attitudes of most white characters in the story. Although this novel presents the issues of racism and slavery, it could possibly be considered an anti-slavery book because of Huck's actions and transformation. .
The Southern society depicted in this novel is racist, ignorant and closed minded. The bigoted individuals of this society see whites as the superior race, and blacks are owned as property, and are slaves to common people. Lynching was a common occurrence for this time period and Tom makes mention of it as if it was a casual event. "I wonder if Uncle Silas is going to hang this nigger. If I was to catch a nigger that was ungrateful enough to run away, I would give him up, I'd hang him." This was the general accepted view of black people in this society. They were the property of white people and should be grateful for that.
The word "nigger" is used continuously throughout the story, as to stress their ignorance. Pap, Huck's father, is a blatant racist and displays it often. He is shown ranting and raving because they allowed a black man to vote. He bellows, "But when they told me that there was a State in this country where they'd let that nigger vote, I drawed out. I says Ill never vote agin." Huck's father gives the reader strong insight as to what it was like back in the early nineteenth century before blacks were freed. .
Twain uses Jim as a way of illustrating the human side of a slave. He is the moral center of the book and is a man of nobility and courage, who risks his freedom and life for the sake of his friend, Huck. Everything about Jim is presented through emotions as evident in his reason .
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for running away from Miss Watson's; in his aspirations to buy his family's freedom; and in his protection and care form Huck throughout their journey. Twain's purpose is to make the reader feel sympathy for Jim and fury against the society that would cause him harm.