One Nation Under Tom

Both raised in similar environments, it's intriguing to compare the different morals and personalities of young boys Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Even though they were raised in the same town with the same community, through the adventures of the novel it is clear that they are two very different children. Huck, the protagonist readers are following the entire story, learns to value people over situation. When it comes to Jim, the slave Huck be-friends despite his doubts, Huck learns to see him as a human over his title of enslavement. Jim's capture makes him realize this, as he risks the shame he would face back home to save his friend. Tom, on the other hand, seeks thrill over morals. He values his reputation, he values a good story from a good adventure rather than the actual people in this adventure. Tom risked him and Huck being caught rescuing Jim in order to make their crime more like the ones he read in stories, dramatic and elaborate. These two contrasting values seem scarcely similar to modern Americans.

When looking at the current United States image, it is clear that we are a United States of Tom. A major factor in this is our current president Donald Trump. He constantly expresses how he cares about the success of the country rather than the well being of it's citizens. Not only him, but other sources of media and news seem to value the interesting tale over the truth. The term 'click-bait' defines the act of promoting an exaggerated title to draw the audience into the actual story. This act is something Tom practically invented, fabricating and altering reality to make a more exhilarating outcome. Whether its to gain popularity, success, money, etc., most Americans are guilty of this.

There are, however, good and honest people who wish to live under The United States of Huck. Those who fight against social standards to protect other's are examples of Huck personalities. For example, the recent protests against immigration bands sweeping our nation under Trump's request. Those who have no blood connection to those directly affected by this band still march in airports and speak their mind the ways they can. Huck's decision to help Jim live free is practically parallel to these modern events. Therefore, although we are currently a nation under Tom Sawyer, through love and support we can rise under Huckleberry Finn.

The United States of America? Huck? Tom?

George Saunders' glowing critique of Mark Twain's American classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, analyzes the viciously satiric nature of the novel as well as a character analysis of Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and a slave, Jim. 

Huck grows to have a human understanding and appreciation of Jim. Practically unheard of as well as being looked down upon by nearly half of an entire nation, he looks out for Jim's safety, looks forward to his trip to Hell for covering for a slave, and views Jim as a friend. Huck has faith in reality, and while he lies sometimes, he does it for survival and entertainment secondly. He understands the real life  Tom acts as the foil to Huck; he is the master manipulator, story teller, and fiend for thrilling (mis)adventure. When he meets with Huck and Jim, he omits the fact that he has the ability to get them both out of danger, and instead "believes what he has read in books...in the concepts that have arisen from what he has read..."(Saunders, 202). This begs the question, still relevant in 2017: Is America a more Tom-like nation or one with more Huck-like features?

Due to the current state of American politics as well as the thin line between patriotic and nationalistic that facade many of the nation's ideals and culture, America seems to be at a point of more Tom-like condition. The deceit that the American government can utilize to purposefully sway the population a certain direction. It's almost an anything goes deal, despite the constant and committed fact checking, calling out, and exposure of blatant and flamboyant lies. In a sort of patriotic, thrill seeking delusion, it is how America is currently in a more Tom state of existence. 

Obviously, being more of a Huck would be more beneficial as a country, minus the white-trash, nonchalant racism, of course. Americans, and people in general, should realize that being more of an open-minded, willing to change human being is more progressive and current. Huck demonstrates an unprecedented empathy and care for a black man, nevertheless an escaped slave.

As Huck's ideals and values were demonstrated in the Antebellum America, and it would be extremely beneficial to the country if the people, leaders, and all the population decided they would want to be a little more like Huckleberry Finn.

United States of Huck and Tom, but Mostly Tom

The modern developing nation of the United States, based on the categorizing of George Saunders, is mainly a United States of Tom. Not to be too cynical, I do believe there is a small chance of hope and a ever growing ideology  that embodies Huck, but  the sad truth is that we live in a world full of bias, unfair privilege, and generational hatred.

Our news and informational media is bombarded with false facts and incredibly swayed points of view. In the United States today, citizens choose to neglect logic as well as real facts and proven information. Even science is interpreted in incredibly chaotic ways. People base their beliefs off what they want to believe, based off what they were taught. No question or skepticism is used when faced with contradiction. This leads to intense despair for many and the perpetuation of racism, sexism, homophobia and much more. With a nation unwilling to progress as well as except new ideals, we will never become a fully equally society. Although, there is some evidence of  progressive thinking.

Despite the enormous amounts of bias and hatred in society, there is still hope and change available. As a civilization, we do embody a United State of Huck. There has been enormous social change and a lean towards acceptance in our society. The rise of women's rights, acceptance of other cultures, political legislation towards progressiveness are all evidence  of our United States of Huck. Even though we do live in an accepting time, there are still enormous hurdles, and with every step forward, we have two steps backwards. Overall, despite our large culture of oppression and inequality, there is still cracks of hope and a promise for change.

Tom's America

Even in 2017, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an allegory for the United States where Huck represents the hope of America, being open minded and accepting and Tom represents the closed-minded and racist part of America. While in America today there are many aspects that pertain to the radical open-mindedness of Huck, much of America is just as intolerant and obstinate as Tom.

America today and America during 1884 are two very different places and so it may seem just to say that today we are living in the United States of Huck, an accepting and nondiscriminatory society. This is completely untrue. Although elements of Huck’s American are found in society, in 2017, we mainly live in the United States of Tom Sawyer. It is clear from our recent presidential election that a large portion of America lives in the United States of Tom. Donald Trump’s entire campaign technique was tapping into the racism of many people in America and making them scared. Trump claims that he will “Make America Great Again” by forcing these innocent people out of the country and blatantly disregards the damage that he is causing to these families and America as a whole. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer does not care the effect that his actions has on Jim because he sees Jim as less than human. The lack of empathy towards immigrants during the election of 2016 is wistfully similar to Tom’s lack of empathy for Jim further illustrating how the America we live in today is the Tom’s America.

Having said that 2017’s America is majorly discriminatory and closed-minded, pieces of Huck’s America can be found. There is hope that in the future we can live in Huck’s accepting America.