Walt Whitman's Failure

“O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,” wrote Walt Whitman after the American Civil War (Whitman). In this poem Whitman is referring to Abraham Lincoln as the “Captain” of America, looking to him for postwar guidance. In 1861, the controversy of slavery caused the Civil War among the Union and Confederacy. The long, treturous war was more tragic than expected and led to severe destruction and several deaths. The war finally came to an end, as did slavery, with a victory for the North and all the African American slaves. In order for this to happen, it took brave individuals to stand up for what they knew was right in order to improve the country. American societal views

One of whom was John Brown, an abolitionist who led several men to kill proslavery settlers in Laurence, Kansas in 1856. The brutality and severe deaths of this massacre became known as “Bleeding Kansas” (Lapansky-Werner336). Three years later, Brown attempted to lead a slave revolt in Harper’s Ferry. Although he suspected that this would inspire many slaves, his revolt was a failure due to the lack of abolitionists willing to fight beside him. Despite the fact that Brown’s life ended in execution, he did influence others that agreed with the fact that slavery would not come to an end “without very much bloodshed” (Lapansky-Werner344-345). Although these actions led to many tragic deaths, this individual did open society’s eyes to the problem among inequality in America at this

During the time of this novel, the 13th Amendment was not yet in existence, so the majority of citizens treated slaves as property. For example, when Huck Finn told Aunt Sally about the death of a “nigger” on the boat, she expressed no concern. When told no white people were injured she claims “Well it’s lucky” (Twain 249). Also, when Tom Sawyer knew Jim was a free man, he still continued with his outrageous schemes. On the other hand, Huckleberry Finn was an individual who did what he knew was right despite the laws and cultures of the time. When the King and Duke were tarred and feathered and ran out of town, Huck still felt bad for them despite the terrible shenanigans they put Huck through. At this moment Huck realizes, “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another” (Twain 260). Huck Finn’s true character shows when he had the decision to free Jim or to return him to Miss Watson. He decides to help free him, saying “All right, then, I’ll go to hell” (Twain 242). Huck figures it is better to do what is right than to follow the unjust law. Although Twain’s story is fictional, actions of individuals like Huck, slowly changed their opinions on