The Slavery Perspective in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Caitlin Feener

Perspective:The capacity to view things in their true relations or

relative importance.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspective?show=1&t=1284259507•In literature, it’s easy to only focus on one

perspective—that of the narrator’s. •By analyzing the perspectives of other characters in

a novel, not only can we understand the narrator better, but also how we interpret the entire piece of literature and how we can relate the novel to ourselves and our own lives.

Background • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1884

• The setting of the novel is St. Petersburg, Missouri, and various locations along the Mississippi River

• While St. Petersburg is fictional, it mirrors the city of Hannibal, Missouri—Mark Twain’s hometown

Setting Activity

• Pretend that you are an author and write a quick paragraph describing the setting of your novel.

• Mirror the city after your own hometown.

• Use imagery to paint a visual picture for the reader.

• When finished, switch paragraphs with your partner. Read and discuss each others ideas.

Things to Think About

• What makes your hometown unique?

Example: Do you have a lot of freeways in your town?

• What are some physical characteristics that

come to mind? Example: Does it rain a lot?

• What is the general mood of your

hometown? Example: Is it usually very quiet?

Perspective• There are multiple

perspectives in a novel.

• Most all main characters in a

novel has a unique perspective that

deserves attention.

You just developed your own perspective, and then

read a different perspective in the activity

we just did as a class.

What were some of the similarities and differences between your and

your partner’s paragraphs?

What are some factors that can affect

perspective, especially in literature?

GenderEthnicityAgePersonalitySocial EnvironmentLaws and Government

Slavery in the 1800s• In 1862, it was declared in the Emancipation Proclamation that all

slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America would be free.

• However, The proclamation did not name the slave-holding border states of Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, or Delaware, which had never declared a secession, and so it did not free any of the slaves

• There were 38 states in the U.S. in the year 1880. Four of those states were considered border states, where slavery was still declared legal.

Discussion Question:Considering that slaves were granted freedom in the majority

of the states during this time period, what effect could this have had on people that were still legally bound to slavery?

Perspective Activity• Using the chart in the class

handout, pretend you are both Huck Finn and Jim.

• In each designated column, write how you think each character feels about slavery.

• How can you make certain assumptions about Huckleberry Finn and Jim? In a class discussion, provide examples from the novel as to why the character might feel this way.

WHY IS PERSPECTIVE SIGNIFICANT IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY?

• Analyzing multiple perspectives forces us to consider and accept other people’s opinions.

• When considering additional perspectives, we practice sympathy and understanding.

• Understanding perspectives allows us to respect other people’s personal experiences.

• Multiple perspectives can denounce stereotypes and assumptions about groups as a whole, and instead let us view others as unique individuals.

• Perspectives teach us new things and broaden our minds to new concepts and ideas.

Final Perspective Writing Assignment

Pretend that you are Huckleberry Finn. Write a formal letter to Miss Watson and the Judge explaining why you believe

that Jim should be granted his freedom.•Include personal reasoning based on how you feel about Jim

as a friend and a person, and why he would want to be free.•Include ethical reasoning in regards to why you think that

slavery is wrong in your own opinion. •Use historical facts that show you understand the dynamics of

slavery during this time period to support your argument.

• Use both activities done in class today and your notes to help generate ideas to include in your letter.

• Try to consider the perspectives of both Huck and Jim while writing your letter.

• Your letter should be approximately five paragraphs long.

“Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please” –Mark Twain