Last week when discussing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Doc OC pointed out the significance of the character’s names.
Judge Thatcher
Miss Watson
Widow Douglass
Huck
Tom
Jim
The fact that all adults besides Jim have a proper title in front of them shows how people were viewed at the time; Jim was a black slave, so he wasn’t called by a more proper name. Huck and Tom were also referred to by informal names because they are children. Thus far in the book, it seems that Twain is drawing a comparison between Huck’s youth and Jim’s status as a black man; they both are vulnerable. However, since Huck is white, according to society, he has power over Jim. One example of this at the end of chapter 9, when Huck and Jim are canoeing back to the island: “It was pretty broad day; so I made Jim lay down in the canoe and cover up with the quilt, because if he set up, people could tell he was a nigger a good ways off.” (44) Jim’s status as a black slave causes people to respect him less than a white child. I think Twain’s specificity with naming the characters helps us readers better understand society’s views during his time.
Brooks,
ReplyDeleteVery true. I think that "pap" doesn't even have a name (that readers know of) also speaks to his role in society. Twain makes it clear, using the same pattern you articulate, that pap is of the lowest societal tier. He drinks, abuses his son, and contributes basically nothing to his community. Now a days, someone with a drinking problem would not be seen as less than, rather someone who needs help. During Twain's time, alcholhics were just viewed as trouble makers. Clearly times have changed in many regards.