A Spurious Stereotype
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 03/15/2010 04:14 PM
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A Spurious Stereotype
“Asians can’t see. All Mexicans are illegal immigrants. African Americans are gangsters.” It’s very sad to hear, but stereotypes exist everywhere in our society. From the beginning of time, judgments about different groups of people have been made. In Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, stereotypes dress the book from cover to cover. The biggest one displayed is the character of Jim, a run-away slave. By examining Jim’s character in detail, it’s obvious that he does not fit the stereotype of a black man in the 1840’s. Judging by his courageous attitude, his unselfishness, and his loyalty, there is no doubt that Jim is different.
There are many points in the novel where Jim is seen as being very courageous. At the end of the novel, Jim does something that wound end up in him loosing his freedom. “ No, sah- I doan’ budge a step out ‘n dis place ‘dout a doctor; not if it’s forty year!” (276). This quote by Jim shows how courageous and brave he is. Because Jim did not want to leave Tom Sawyer until professional help was brought, he decides to stay knowing very well that once the doctor comes, he will most likely be re-captured. Some think that a stereotypical Black man during the time would lack courage, but this event proves that Jim does not fit the mold.
Another aspect of a stereotypical Black man in the 1840’s was being selfish. Through out their adventure, Jim acts as a fatherly figure towards Huck meaning that he takes on hardships in order to benefit Huck; this is definitely considered to be unselfish. “I had the middle, watch, you know, but I was pretty sleepy by that time, so Jim said he would stand the first half of it for me; he was always mighty good that way, Jim was,”(128). By giving up his sleep for Huck, Jim shows unselfish characteristics. If Jim was portrayed as being greedy and only caring about himself, the stereotype would have been true, but by allowing Huck to sleep in, Jim is able to disprove another...
“Asians can’t see. All Mexicans are illegal immigrants. African Americans are gangsters.” It’s very sad to hear, but stereotypes exist everywhere in our society. From the beginning of time, judgments about different groups of people have been made. In Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, stereotypes dress the book from cover to cover. The biggest one displayed is the character of Jim, a run-away slave. By examining Jim’s character in detail, it’s obvious that he does not fit the stereotype of a black man in the 1840’s. Judging by his courageous attitude, his unselfishness, and his loyalty, there is no doubt that Jim is different.
There are many points in the novel where Jim is seen as being very courageous. At the end of the novel, Jim does something that wound end up in him loosing his freedom. “ No, sah- I doan’ budge a step out ‘n dis place ‘dout a doctor; not if it’s forty year!” (276). This quote by Jim shows how courageous and brave he is. Because Jim did not want to leave Tom Sawyer until professional help was brought, he decides to stay knowing very well that once the doctor comes, he will most likely be re-captured. Some think that a stereotypical Black man during the time would lack courage, but this event proves that Jim does not fit the mold.
Another aspect of a stereotypical Black man in the 1840’s was being selfish. Through out their adventure, Jim acts as a fatherly figure towards Huck meaning that he takes on hardships in order to benefit Huck; this is definitely considered to be unselfish. “I had the middle, watch, you know, but I was pretty sleepy by that time, so Jim said he would stand the first half of it for me; he was always mighty good that way, Jim was,”(128). By giving up his sleep for Huck, Jim shows unselfish characteristics. If Jim was portrayed as being greedy and only caring about himself, the stereotype would have been true, but by allowing Huck to sleep in, Jim is able to disprove another...