Mark Twain's use of labels ties in with the idea of both nature vs. nurture, and Twain's own abolitionist views. In relating to nature vs. nurture, the use of labels to characterize people, we come to the question of whether or not these characters will live up to these labels, despite what their true "nature" is. Also, relating to Twain's own abolitionist views, we assume that his deliberate use of labels is meant to show that the labels of "black" and "white" are only such, and have no true social basis. This abolitionist stance is also bolstered with his use of dramatic irony in the switching of the "black" and "white" babies.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Title
I know it was brought up at the end of discussion during class on Wednesday, but the idea of labels and titles is very prevalent throughout this novel. As Robert mentions below, the townspeople invariably label and give titles to each other. Where as the townspeople label Pudd'nhead Wilsonas unintelligent and his work as futile, the reader sees that this is just the opposite. This is just one of many examples of the use of labels throughout the novel.
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I certainly agree that Mark Twain's use of labels ties in with his own abolitionist views. Even though Roxana is considered a lowly slave, she is still depicted as an real human being with emotions instead of a being inferior to the caucasian race. When Mark Twain describes the feelings of despair Roxy has when she ponders over the possibility of her son being sold "down the river," he uses language and description to make his readers pity Roxy's situation and sympathize with her pain. Instead of portraying the switching of babies as being a cruel and devious action of a revenging slave, Twain portrays this as an act of desperation. Here he depicts the harsh lives of the slaves and the despicable slave trade "down the river." In addition, Twain continually shows that one's outer appearance, manners, or even upbringing may not actually represent who one's true identity and nature is. Though Tom is raised up in a wealthy "first" family, attends college, behaves like a "white" man, and talks like a "white" man. However, those factors did not represent his true identity-a son of a slave with some African blood. Furthermore, Chambers grows up as a slave, acts like a slave, and talks like a slave, his outer features and manners did not reveal that he really was the heir of the estate. Twain is continually emphasizing that one's outer appearance, including skin color, does not truly represent the true identity of a person and criticizes societies with social hierarchies based on one's outer appearance- "black" or "white."
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