Final answer:
Mark Twain criticizes white complacency and racism in Huck's conversation with Aunt Sally in 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', reinforcing the theme of dehumanization by slavery. This theme also examines society's moral values reflected in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain attacks the complacent and racist attitudes of the white people during the time. Specifically, in Huck's conversation with Aunt Sally, he critiques the lack of concern for black lives, which is evident in her relief that no one was hurt in a steamboat explosion, meaning no white person was hurt, as she dismisses the death of a black man with little concern. This conversation reinforces the theme that slavery dehumanizes not only the enslaved but the enslavers as well, corrupting their moral judgment and empathy toward fellow human beings. Twain's work is often the subject of debate regarding its racial content loaded with historical context and perspectives. Furthermore, Twain uses the motif of the river and shore to illustrate that while the river symbolizes freedom, it is not immune to the society's corrupt values reflected on the shore, further discussing the theme that one must rely on personal knowledge and training rather than succumb to societal prejudices. In "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Mark Twain critiques the prevailing white attitude of the time, particularly regarding race and slavery. This is evident in Huck's conversation with Aunt Sally in the later chapters of the novel. Specifically, Twain attacks the hypocritical nature of the society that would condemn theft but not question the morality of owning slaves. In the conversation, Aunt Sally expresses her concern about someone stealing "that n-word" (referring to Jim). Huck, who knows that Jim is not stolen but has in fact run away, refrains from correcting her misconception. This situation highlights the irony and moral inconsistency of a society that values property rights over human rights.