People Never Change
Society has continued to be hypocritical ever since day one. We might think that over time people learn and things would change, but nowadays the hypocrisy of people still prevail. In Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn we are able to view the vast amount of hypocrisy that runs throughout their society and wherever Huck's adventure takes him. Twain begins by satirizing this idea when he introduces us to the Widow Douglas. Every day she reminds Huck that he should always pray and be a good child, but never realizes the irony of her own actions. She has the idea that black individuals are lower to her and should remain slaves. Twain continues to present us with others such as Miss Watson, Mr. Phelps, and Mrs. Phelps. The Phelps pray with Jim and feed him, but keep him locked up because he is a runaway slave.
Now if we examine the world, situations are less severe because of the ideals we are embedded with. Isolating and criticizing others hasn't disappeared, but has become more prevalent and a social norm so to say. We can see this through the politics that the government has presented us with. We always assumed that history repeating itself would never happen, but the unthinkable is taking place. Building a wall around our country and putting bans on certain races is an example of the hypocritical nature that we can witness.
In the speech that we read by Fredrick Douglas, "What, to the American Slave, your Fourth of July" he underlines the main ideas of human nature. Around the middle is his speech he says, "America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future" (Douglas 4). This line is a perfect representation of human actions over time. We began by belittling Africans, and then it has slowly continued to anyone who doesn't fit the rubric visioned by people. This can be held true to the novel by Mark Twain and to our society now. Will humans change in the future or are we going to expect the reiteration of hypocritical behavior?
Nithya, I thought your argument had an interesting take on the hypocrisy of human nature and how the world seems to be going in circles with this idea. It has seemed like nothing has changed, as also seen by the regression in Huck's character as he reverted back to societal norms after meeting Huck again. However, would you say that we are slowly making improvements with how we treat others, especially with long yet successful movements throughout history? And if human behavior were to change in the future, how do you think it could be successful?
ReplyDeleteYour argument was well thought out and nicely written! I liked the reference that you made to Douglas's speech and the connection that you made between Mark Twain's novel and modern day society and politics. I agree with your idea that the exposure of the hypocrisy of human nature was a significant purpose in Mark Twain's novel. Why do you think that society continues to make the same mistakes or repeat the same actions even though they know the consequences they will face as a result? Do you think that discrimination will become less of a problem in the future?
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