On Mark Twain's Idea Of Humanism

Mark Twain is among the most outstanding writers in American literature history. He has undoubted talents in many directions—novel, essay, sketch, review, short story, and play. Whatever the style of literature, he has left the world with classics, whereas it is the novel that perfectly demonstrates his uncommon writing gifts. His novels not only boast high literary values, but also have survived the passage of time, all of which are still in print today. Basing on the everlasting novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with stressing the angel of society and history, this thesis illustrates Mark Twain's profound idea of humanism as well as its important status in the history of literature.This thesis analyzes Mark Twain's idea of humanism in three chapters together with introduction and conclusion.Chapter One shows civilization gets in the way of free humanity development of man. Religion, social institutions, patriarchy, and slavery are all the products of human civilization. Stereotyped life style makes people lose their interest in life. Spurious religion stifles the normal human desires. Authoritarian patriarchy deprives family members of their affection. Social norms are as ridiculous as fun. Inhumane slavery persecutes human fellowmen. Mark Twain finds out that the civilized society is a kind of illusive phenomenon. The development of civilization turns out encumbrance in the way of humanity growth.Chapter Two puts its emphasis on the evil of human nature which is stimulated to extreme extent in the shadow of human civilization. So-called noble men are a base rabble who will deceive money from the ignorant people, save their faces at the cost of others'lives, and even lynch some one for venting their resentment. Those urban citizens with inner void are wild about lower and vulgar recreation. They are fatuous, cold-blooded, and bully the weak and fear the strong, doing nothing everyday. Even some whites still mistreat the freed black for their own interests. The fact Mark Twain observes is that the bankruptcy of humanity, namely the good of human nature, is the great crisis in man's development.Chapter Three lays its importance on the reason of Huck's homization. Huck is the marginalized figure in the society, close to the nature. Besides, Jim and some females are more caring and humane than the white male characters, having a positive impact on the humanistic growth of Huck, which is often neglected by a great number of critics. They are the father, brother, mother and sister on the road of Huck's initiation. Mark Twain displays his respect to the black and women who were looked down upon at the time. At the end of the story, Huck's refusal of the adoption of Aunt Sally psychologically marks Huck's literal growth from an innocent boy to a maturely humanistic man.In sum, Mark Twain is a humanistic writer who advocates nature, humanity, freedom and equality. And it is his progressive ideology advancing with the times and the unique characters he depicts that endow his novel with distinctive flavor, which distinguishes Twain from his contemporary writers.