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Find one quote to discuss and apply to Twain's On the Damned Human Race, Social Darwinism, and Pudd'nhead Wilson. Then, answer: How does Barringer's argument fit with Tom's "new" "negro blood"? How do you think this fits into the nature vs. nurture argument.
Once you have commented, respond to 2 other comments. Play the devil's advocate; ask a strong question, agree/disagree and tell why, etc.
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Emily M.
ReplyDelete"The young negro of the South, except where descended from parents of exceptional character and worth, is reverting through hereditary forces to savagery."
This represents the nature vs. nurture because Tom has the innate evil that Barringer's essay depicts; however, when he learns that he actually has Negro blood in him he reverts back to a shy man who is put into his place. This would argue that nurture influences people more than nature because Tom was brought up thinking he was white and in charge, which is what actually brings the evil out of him. It could also be argued that evil is just human nature in general, regardless of race, and the nurture and upbringing is what pulls it out of people. Barringer's quote is somewhat correct in the respect that Tom is the more evil, but that is when he thinks he is white. When he learns about the Negro blood in him he changes from the evil man who thinks he can do anything he wants in the world.
"Thirty-five years have passed since the negro changed from the condition of a slave to that of a freedman. In every part of the South, it is the opinion of every man of unbiased mind, that the second generation is infinitely worse than the first." This statement agrees with Twain's message that nurture is the thing that creates man; Barringer says that growing up free men (being nurtured differently) resulted in their less than ruly behavior. However, Barringer continues to say, "It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes." This contradicts my last statement. Barringer now says that it is in African Americans nature to be unruly, and that until now it has been contained.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"And now let us turn to the influence of this 'peculiar institution' upon the negro. Although he came to us a savage, with fifty generations of unalloyed savagery behind him, two hundred and fifty years of close association, as slave and master, produced changes in the race, the like of which has never been seen before or since."
ReplyDeleteBarringer's argument shows that when it comes down to nature vs. nurture, nurture will prevail. Nurture is how the environment and the surroundings effect how one will grow up and form their personality. This supports the way that Tom acts because in his nature he is black and should be acting differently according to the slave-holding society. The way he was nurtured brings him to believe he was white and therefore, to act in a superior manner. This is a representation of the times and society.
Shannon J
ReplyDelete"With the savage, however, there is no self-control, and dishonesty gives theft, anger gives murder, and desire rape." I think this is an interesting viewpoint on Social Darwinism. The savage, as said in the quote, has the strength to survive however is it a good thing that it will come out on top? The Social Darwinist people here are contradicted by the idea that if the strongest, most powerful people survive they wont necessarily be good for the world. This fits with Tom's "new" negro blood because it was always in him similarly the idea has always been around, however now there is awareness of the issue. This can completely change a person's perception of life.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes."
ReplyDelete-I think that the part about nature making a person and a civilization is very true.How people are nurtured and natured as they grow up has quite a big impact on who they become. Language and clothes are just accessories that enhance a persons nature, and it can be good or bad.
Alex D.
ReplyDelete"Although he came to us a savage, with fifty generations of unalloyed savagery behind him, two hundred and fifty years of close association, as slave and master, produced changes in the race, the like of which has never been seen before or since."
The Barringer essay supports both distinct ideals of "nature vs. nurture". At one point, Barringer states that African American savagery is directly derived from ancestral traits; the idea that nature affects one's character. Yet, Barringer immediately states that character can change based on one's environment and influences; an advocation of the idea that nurture, rather than nature, molds one's character.Barringer's thesis directly relates to Mark Twain's "Pudd'nhead Wilson"; Twain stresses, through satire, that nurture ultimately determines one's character.In the novel, Tom Driscoll's attitude reflects his upbringing, yet, his character drastically changes when he learns of his African American heritage. Twain uses this scenario as evidence to support his ideas regarding "nature vs. nature".
"Fifty centuries of savagery in the blood cannot be held down by two centuries of forced good behavior if the controlling influences which held down his savagery are withdrawn as they have been in this case. The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes."
ReplyDeleteHere the theme of nature vs nurture is revealed, which is a major theme shown in Pudd'nhead Wilson. The author of the essay argues that it is nature and not nurture that creates a violent nature in a person. The author's viewpoint is similar to that of the townspeople. Social Darwinism can also be applied to this quote in that the author uses Social Darwinism to place whites above blacks because blacks have been enslaved for so long a time it has effected their evolution. Twain, on the other hand, expresses a different opinion in his article On the Damned Human Race. Twain mocks Social Darwinism, and he does not believe that it is in a black's nature to be violent, but rather it is nurture.
Barringer's argument fits with Tom's new negro blood because Tom turns wild and begins stealing in order to save himself. He is violent and he has a horrible temper. Barringer would argue that his horrible behavior is because he has some black blood in him. However, one could argue Tom acts this way because he was spoiled when he was younger, and that Roxy didn't raise him properly as she should have. Therefore, later on in life Tom becomes a criminal as he begins stealing because he has yet to learn how to be responsible for his own actions.
@LinseyS
ReplyDeleteWe used the same quote in opposite ways! When speaking to Mrs. Davis, she explained how this could be perceived in different ways. Although to me, this quote pretty much says that it is what you are that determines your actions; "It is the nature..." He puts it right out there in my humble opinion.
Nathan D.
ReplyDelete"Although he came to us a savage, with fifty generations of unalloyed savagery behind him, two hundred and fifty years of close association, as slave and master, produced changes in the race, the like of which has never been seen before or since."
This quote from Barringer's essay applies to the theory of Social Darwinism because it is simply stated that the Master or the superiors rubbed off on the African American's therefore making them better.
"Thirty-five years have passed since the negro changed from the condition of a slave to that of a freedman. In every part of the South, it is the opinion of every man of unbiased mind, that the second generation is infinitely worse than the first."
ReplyDeleteI think this quote really explains the idea of nature vs. nurture. These blacks were born and raised into a slave lifestyle and so when they were freed from slavery they had to adapt to a completely different lifestyle. This quote is about growing up and having to change the life you knew so I think it connects to nurture. This is also why the whites said they liked the old blacks better because they were used to living with them when they were slaves now they have a different lifestyle and whites have to also adapt
"It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes." Barringer is contradicting Twains belief that it is nature over nurture that decides the behavior. In the same paragraph, Barringer says, "In every part of the South, it is the opinion of every man of unbiased mind, that the second generation is infinitely worse than the first." This quote directly contradicts the quote above. In this quote, Barringer is agreeing with Twain's theory that it is nurture over nature that decides behavior.
ReplyDelete"Among all men we have many that are dishonest, yet there are few robberies; lust is, among the depraved, as natural as thirst, yet there is but little rapine, and there is, moreover, everywhere inherent cruelty, and yet there is little murder." Tom in his new "Negro blood status" seems to have to change his personality because of the change. One little detail that is not even noticed in him changes his whole being. He turns from who is into what the society is perceiving of him.
ReplyDelete@Mattfarley
ReplyDeleteBarringer says that, "The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains." Does that agree with your statements? It seems like the first one says that African Americans get worse as time goes on, but then he goes on to say that their "nature" has been contained. How are both arguments possible?
@MattFarley
ReplyDeleteHow does Barringer's argument support the way that Tom reacted? Do you think the aspect of nature or nurture affected him more?
Alex A.
ReplyDelete"The young negro of the South, except where descended from parents of exceptional character and worth, is reverting through hereditary forces to savagery." I think that this quote explains the idea of Social Darwinism. It shows how through generations of life, people change and that depends on both the nature and the way that people grow throughout the years. this quote demonstrates the way that throughout the years, people begin to go back down the savagery line. I also think that this line relates to Pudd'nhead Wilson by the way it talks about generations becoming worse than their parents. This idea is shown by the way that Tom was Roxy's son, but he is clearly a worse person than she is. It's also shown with Chambers. Chambers is not as "good" as his parents, thus showing the idea of the child being worse or not as good as the parents, again.
Barringer's argument fits Tom by the way that he is a worse person than Roxy. He's mean, crude and overall a butt-head. This confirms his idea that each generation is worse than the one before. I think this fits into nature vs. nurture by the way that Tom was nutured as white child, not the black child that nature would have raised him. He's becoming more savage with nature.
Linsey S
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your response. I think that he bosses people around because people are willing to help him no matter what. I think that he himself is weak band timid. I think he would have acted this way if he were raised as a black boy as well. Do you think personality develops as one grows up, or is it set?
@Nathan D.
ReplyDeleteIf that quote is based on Social Darwinism then how could the better qualities "rub off" onto the other? Isn't Social Darwinism based on genes and ancestors not surroundings?
In regards to Pudd'nhead Wilson I do not agree with the overall meaning and message of this essay; that barbarianism has become a hereditary trait in African nature and that it cannot be wiped out with two centuries of productive restraints or as Berringer puts it, “Fifty centuries of savagery in the blood cannot be held down by two centuries of forced good behavior if the controlling influences which held down his savagery are withdrawn as they have been in this case. The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes.” In my opinion the book does a good job at refuting this theory with the descriptions of Tom and Chambers. When the lives of these two young boys are switched at an extremely young age they quickly begin to adapt to their new lives. For example, Tom, originally a born slave, begins to act spoiled and expect instant gratification as would a young rich child; which is the new life that has been set upon him. Furthermore, Chambers, who in reality is a rich heir of his father's estate, begins to act more submissive and follow commands. As he gets older he continues to act as a slave to Tom and places himself at his beck and call. This leads me to disagree with Berringer's essay because through this book it is shown that savagery can be led out of a person of African descent with the right conditions of youth; even as men these two boys still assume the same roles that they were given as infants despite the fact that the “controlling influences” were withdrawn. This shows that it does not in fact take two or more centuries to change to relieve them of barbarianism but just one generation of the right upbringing.
ReplyDeleteMelissa M. "The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes." This quote relates to "On the Damned Human Race" because Mark Twain used this piece to criticize the opinion expressed above. Barringer is arguing in favor of social Darwinism, stating that evolution has made the white man moral and superior to Africans. Mark Twain mocks this idea in "The Damned Human Race" first copying Barringer's dry, scientific tone, and pointing out instances in which man is actually less moral than animals. Twain's point is that, while whites like to believe they are the best beings on Earth, all humans, regardless of color, have the same flaws. These flaws actually make humans worse than animals. Barringer's essay agrees with Social Darwinism. He believes that years of savagery and repression have created a violent, brutish African nature. Similarly, Darwin argued that environmental conditions breed certain traits within animals.Barringer believes that their background has made African Americans unfit and harmful to society. Thus, since their traits are base and brutish, they should remain under slavery in the hopes of rebuilding their character. Barringer's essay further relates to "Pudd'nhead Wilson" because it adds to Twain's nature vs. nurture argument. Barringer would agree with the town that the worth and behavior of a person is based on their inherited nature. Thus, he would argue that it is Tom's drop of black blood that makes him brutal, villainous, and shiftless. Twain himself describes Tom's character change by saying that it is the "black blood" in him causes him to adapt a more humble character after Roxy reveals the truth of his identity.
ReplyDeleteShannonJ
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on your viewpoint on social darwinism. Yes the strongest and smartest will come out on top but it makes you wonder if Charles Darwin ever thought that these people would make the world a stronger better place.
Rebekkah C.
ReplyDelete"Fortunately for us, experience (history) has shown that these savage traits can be held down, and we have seen that if held down long enough, they will be bred out. In this one fact lies the hope of the South." If we hold down these traits to a point where they are bred out, then Social Darwinism comes into play when we start changing traits to adapt to society. This quote also disagrees with Mark Twain's 'On the Damned Human Race" because Mark Twain discusses how Social Darwinism is a bad thing. The quote implies that Social Darwinism is a good thing and help us survive when we need to adapt to new traits. This quote applies to "Pudd'nhead Wilson" because in "Pudd'nhead Wilson", the people that are white and have the favorable traits are the ones that are accepted and treated fairly in society. Barringer's argument fits in with Tom's new negro blood because Tom finds out that he is 1/32 black. Tom grew up with nurture because he was treated like a white person and his black traits didn't seem to come out. Since Tom was so used to the environment that he grew up in, not many people noticed his nature, or black characteristics in him. This shows the way he was nurtured affected his nature.
"In every part of the South, it is the opinion of every man of unbiased mind, that the second generation is infinitely worse than the first."
ReplyDelete-Relates to social darwinism because the group that is most fit should survive
-One group is better than the other
-Since the first generation adapted to its situation then they are better fit
-Barringer's essay fits Tom perfectly
-Even though he is raised white he would still be looked on as black
-He is arrogant and disliked and is a second generation black
-So technically he is worse than the first generation
Matt Fo.
ReplyDelete"I will show from the study of his racial history (phylogeny) that his late tendency to return to barbarism is as natural as the return of the sow that is washed to her wallowing in the mire."
This argument is heavily favoring the nature side of the nature versus nurture argument. Despite his ancestry, Tom was raised as a white man and he acts as if he was completely white and superior to those who are all black.
This also in a way confirms supports Barringer's point. Tom's attitude despite seeming like a snooty white man could be construed as uncivil and similar to the behavior Barringer described.
Courtney D
ReplyDelete"The young negro of the South, except where descended from parents of exceptional character and worth, is reverting through hereditary forces to savagery."
This quote relates Social Darwinism because it shows how one will either succeed or fail in this world based on who they are. While the quote does not hold typical expectations of Social Darwinism it does imply that one may not succeed if possess certain traits (which relates also to the true ideas of survival of the fittest in biology).
I find that the above quote is quite ironic in terms of Pudd'nhead Wilson because of the fact that the above quote is saying that if one is raised by good, upstanding people they will also be good people. And to the southern whites, no one is more upstanding than one of their own. And yet we see a child who was raised by the "upstanding citizens" turn into a rude and dishonest person.
Victoria N.
ReplyDelete"Of course, readers of Pudd'nhead Wilson can argue that Tom's immorality results from his training, not his inherent nature, and thus that he is corrupted by slavery. To Barringer, however, slavery was ultimately much better for the "negro" than freedom."
This relates to Puddn'head Wilson because Tom was not raised in slavery but instead in freedom which had a very negative effect on him.
Barringer's argument fits with Tom's new negro blood because this quote argues that slavery is better than letting the "negroes" have freedom. This is true for Tom because he is really black but he is raised white so he becomes very corrupted. If he would have stayed a slave, he would be more disciplined and he would listen to adults and people in higher positions. Instead his mom switched him at a young age so he was very selfish and became a horrible young man. This fits with the nature vs. nurture argument because Tom's life was not based on the nature or the family he was supposed to be part of but instead the nurture he instead received when everybody thought he was a white boy. If he had been raised the way nature intended he would most likely be a nice boy who respected elders vs. the boy he turned into because of his upbringing.
Barringer
ReplyDeleteVictoria R.
ReplyDelete"The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes."
This shows that Tom is right to be uncertain about being one thirty-second black. If any of the people in town found out he was born of a slave and passed off as a white child, he would be judged harshly and probably hated. This quote also relates to Twain's On the Damned Human Race by showing that we, humans, are stuck in our ways and struggle with change. We do have bad traits passed down, we all judge one another and can't stop. We can't change.
(Comment Deleted-shorter version)
@ Molly:
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that clothes and language don't influence how a person turns out to be? Especially in today's society. I think that materialistic things have a huge impact.
Emily M
ReplyDeleteIs Roxy proving the point that she wanted to make? It seems to me the point being proved is more that anyone who is thought to be white assumes themselves as higher then those who are colored.
"Fortunately for us, experience (history) has shown that these savage traits can be held down, and we have seen that if held down long enough, they will be bred out. In this one fact lies the hope of the South." This quote represents the tone of the entire essay, a tone rooted in bitter racism and coated with formal language. His generalization of African Americans and his depiction of them are sickening. I believe that it is so far off of the truth that it is hard to see how this is an honest opinion rather than a satire exaggerating racism and making fun of racism.
ReplyDeletePuddn’head Wilson seems to support Barringer’s essay in switching the roles of a slave baby and a white baby. Even with one thirty-second black in Tom he still becomes a rude and socially awful adult. This proves Social Darwinism, showing that if everything is given to a person then they will simply indulge and never learn how to socially rise to the top. If someone or their close ancestors do not have to work for something then they do not deserve the success. Tom’s rude behavior proves that nurture does not win, nature rules in deciding social success and role reversal will not change a person’s chance of success because that is almost all written in a person’s genes. I do not agree with this opinion but it seems as though Mark Twain supports it, or possibly he is bashing this theory because Tom is almost all white and the story is ridiculous and does not represent the typical.
@Emily M
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with your comparison of Berringer's essay to Puddn'head Wilson. I agree with what said about nurture being more influential than nature because evil is inherent in all humans regardless of race. I think that this is a very accurate statement because it shows that the way someone is raised and their surroundings are what make them who they truly are.
Alex D.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your nature vs nurture argument. Barringer seems to contradict himself in that savagery is a genetic trait and then says that it can be cured. So I agree with your argument,
"Fortunately for us, experience (history) has shown that these savage traits can be held down, and we have seen that if held down long enough, they will be bred out. In this one fact lies the hope of the South."
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote relates to all three of the topics applied. It applies to the damned human race, because as long as we keep our instincts under the surface, then we will not be the "Damned Human Race". Social Darwinism is effected by this also, because this means nurture is better than nature and can over power it. When a boy is raised and nurtured under a power he learns respect, like Tom in Pudd'n Head Wilson.
@ Tati
ReplyDeleteI Agree with you but I don't necessarily think that the second generation black were given a fair chance because the nature that they were born into has an affect that makes them "worse" than the first generation blacks.
My thing got deleted like 12 times so this is a very very shortened version.
ReplyDelete"Among all men we have many that are dishonest, yet there are few robberies; lust is, among the depraved, as natural as thirst, yet there is but little rapine, and there is, moreover, everywhere inherent cruelty, and yet there is little murder."
-like the towns people of puddn'head
-Inherent cruelty, yet little or no murder.
-Tom is almost not black
-Barringer speaks of blacks in general
-Tom is black, barely but still black
-he should be treated like all negroes
Melissa M. Alex D. I can see where Barringer argues both nature vs. nurture, but I think he truly believes that nature determines who people are. Within Pudd'nhead Wilson, it becomes nearly possible to determine which side of the nature vs. nurture argument Twain supports. On one hand, as you pointed out, Tom's spoiled upbringing makes him brutish and selfish. However, on pg 66, Tom says that it is the black blood in Tom that causes him to turn embarrassed from his white friends and family. Why do you think Twain made the nature vs. nurture argument within this book so hard to solve?
ReplyDelete@RachelC
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing that to my attention. Tom reacts to the whole shabang. He is thinking of the same contradiction that we are. He can't believe that he has treated people of his own race so poorly. He realizes that the fashion in which he has been nurtured has made him who he is, but he treats everyone by their nature. This does a lot to Tom's consciene.
@Ben
ReplyDeleteI agree that Tom is turning into how society sees him. Roxy treated him like her master, though he shared the same blood as her. Since she cared to his every need and raised him up to be this great master, Tom developed this sense that he was better than everyone else. When Roxy rose up to him at last, Tom's attitudes and actions turned desperate as he began stealing. Society had always seen Tom in a negative light. Now, Tom has finally embraced this and has turned into a criminal.
@ Victoria R
ReplyDeleteDo you think that we would be able to change our traits and harsh judgment if we all change together as a community? Do you think that perhaps we judge so harshly because everyone else does and we want to fit in? It is a domino affect?
LizB
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement but maybe the reason he said two completely different viewpoints is because he believes that in certain situations both nature and nurture can effect someone more. You could be born into a wealthy family and so naturally you expect more but you could also be poor or a middle class citizen and gain a lot of money and then you change because of that so I think in certain situations Barringer is trying to say both effect people.
@ Ben E.
ReplyDeleteOvertime generations are supposed to be able to adapt to what's around them in their environment, so I think that the generations become more adapted to the world and are better developed that their parents/the generation before them.
Nicholas C.
ReplyDelete“Fifty centuries of savagery in the blood cannot be held down by two centuries of forced good behavior if the controlling influences which held down his savagery are withdrawn as they have been in this case. The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes.” (Barringer.) In his essay Barringer constantly refers to the aspect of nature versus nurture and how it connects to people in life. He argues that African Americans are evil and bad and have to be considered savage based solely on their heritage and ethnicity. He claims that no matter how a person is brought up they will always be doing these bad actions. This resonates deeply within Mark Twain's Puddinhead Wilson because this aspect of nature versus nurture is constantly referenced and referred to. In the novel however Twain takes an opposing stance against Barringer's thoughts. He uses his characters to argue this point specifically Tom Driscoll and the dark secret that surrounds him. When Roxy tells him that he is actually part Negro he freaks out but continues on with the actions he committed before knowing thins information. Before Roxy comes to him he is constantly drunk and a heavy gambler, which was a very demeaning trait back then, and he continuously abuses, physically and verbally, the servants around him. He continued these acts of recklessness and hatred both before and after which directly argues Barringer's point. Another character that supports this idea is Puddinhead Wilson. He, the first day he comes to the town, makes a complete fool of himself and acts very odd around everyone which, if Barringer's theory holds credibility, shouldn't have happened. Many of the people surrounding Twain in his life were like this which actually gives credibility to the idea that it is how you are raised not your identity or nature that defines you.
"Not the language, the skin, or the clothes." This quote from Barringer's essay reiterates the switch of Tom and Chambers. They are not who they are because of what they are, as in race, but who and what they are from. Tom never thought of himself as black until someone told him he was, his literal race didn't matter.
ReplyDelete@ Zach C
ReplyDeleteZach, I could not agree more. That is a very insightful point of view. Your deep analysis of the text was intelligent and helped me understand the comparison between Twain and Barringer.
@Mollie
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view point, that "Language and clothes are just accessories that enhance a persons nature, and it can be good or bad." But what makes them good or bad, what are the characteristics relating to it?
Kyle H:
ReplyDelete"Although he came to us a savage, with fifty generations of unalloyed savagery behind him, two hundred and fifty years of close association, as slave and master, produced changes in the race, the like of which has never been seen before or since."
This quote, talking about the black people, relates to On the Damned Human Race because of Mark Twain's idea of how man is disgustingly prejudice. To even classify another human as savage and to go as far as to say that white society has changed him into a human. Twain criticized the human race for slavery because that was savage, not the slaves themselves.
This quote applies to social Darwinism because of the idea of adaption. Social Darwinism is the idea that only the fittest will survive, this is the justification for the whites that they were superior, and ultimately justification for slavery. This quote says that the blacks adapted to "proper" way of life, that in order to survive, they had to become fitter (more white).
This quote corresponds to Pudd'nhead Wilson because Dawson's Landing is still in the stage where they feel that the blacks are inferior, whether they are free or not. The whites treat the blacks as if they are forever in their debt for the whites "saving" them from savagery.
The Barringer Essay doesn't relate to Tom's realization of his new blood. Tom just found out that everything in this essay isn't true. It is a matter of nature vs. nurture, no one is savage by nature because if that is so, he wouldn't be the proper white young man that he is. Tom, though he doesn't want to admit it, has made the connection that race is not the basis of genetic differences in behavior.
I really like Emily's comment about how the nurture in nurture vs. nature will bring out a sub-conscience evil inside someone. If someone is the nurture half, they will “automatically” express an evil personality.
I really like Shannon's comment that says although the “fittest” may survive, they may not be the best for the world. The strongest race physically may end up being superior, but how are they the strongest race if they aren't working toward uniting their cousin race, the blacks.
@ Victoria N.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea that Tom growing up in freedom instead of slavery had a negative effect on him. If Tom grew up in slavery, he would have had the characteristics of his nature instead of the characteristics resulting from the way he was nurtured. Do you think growing up in freedom would have had a negative impact on any other slaves?
LizB: I think the contradiction Barringer uses and how he completely disagrees with himself is on purpose because so often humans contradict themselves with there ideas. Barringer has mixed feelings about the subjects and he was trying to express both sides of his feelings.
ReplyDeleteMatt Fo.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that Tom's personality is due to nature part of nature versus nurture. He acts the way he does because he is brought up with everything and never had to battle nature.
@Emily Mayo
ReplyDeleteThe idea it is displaying is how the white people trimmed the African Americans teaching them to be better over time by being in the society.
@Liz
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Barringer contradicts himself.
@ RachelC
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the idea that Barringer supports "nurture" over "nature". Though his initial thesis is structured to portray African Americans in a negative light, he advocates the theory that it is one's surroundings and influences which mold their character.
@MattF
I also noticed that Barringer seemed to contradict himself in his arguments. Do you think that he realized his essay contained such contradictions?
@ Nathan D.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that this quote really relates to Social Darwinism because it is all about survival of the fittest and being able to do things on your own. Things don't really rub off and help people along.
@ Rebekkah C.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say the way Tom was raised shows that people around him treated him like the way a white person was treated because of his situation. If a child exhibiting a very small part of black in them met someone new, would they treat him as a slave or a white person?
@Mollie S
ReplyDeleteWhen reading and thinking about the reading I sometimes wonder if nature and nurture have a blurred line, if it is both that play and equal part.
@Matt F
Is there a case in which it is one's nature rather than their nurture that make the person who they eventually be or will it always be their nature -- can you raise two people the exact same way and have them turn out differently?
Katie S.
ReplyDelete"This state of being is pathognomonic of savagery; and the African fills the bill.”
This quote, like Pudd'nhead Wilson puts blacks and slaves at the very bottom, and raises whites up. Thorough each generation they pass this thought down, that blacks are savage and dishonest. In Pudd'nhead Wilson “Tom”, is brought up to believe that he is completely white(nurture), even though in reality he is him black(nature). Tom and chambers are who they are because of who and how they were raised, not because of their true parents and their real family decent.
Rebekkah C.- I agree, with the fact that it was Toms's nurture that made him who he was, not his nature
Melissa M.- So do you think Tom's "Negro blood" make him brutal and savage?
Melissa M. Emily M., you argue that Tom's reversion to humility is a sign that Tom is the result of nurture, not nature, but a person could also argue that it is Tom's drop of black blood that makes him evil. He actually seems to fit Barringer's idea of the traditionally brutal African savage. Notice that it is only after Tom becomes aware of his true identity as a slave that her reverts to humility and becomes more aware of his hurtful actions. This would further support Barringer's argument that slavery can breed savagery out of an African.
ReplyDelete@Tati
ReplyDeleteI agree that whites like old blacks better because they have been around them better and the generations change.
@BenE
ReplyDeleteBarringer's quote is strictly about "negroes". Tom didn't know that he was black so he does not apply to the quote. It is the second generation of "negroes" that are worse, not the white men. I disagree, this quote does not describe Tom at all.
@Rachel C
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response. I believe you become who you are by what surrounds you. What you go through molds you, who raises you also has an impact. Its like the teething situation form the quiz. Your parents can either give you sympathy or tell you to "man up". This is how you learn to deal with things.
@ nature vs nurture people
ReplyDeleteIf slaves got the proper nurture and started raising their children correctly would they be accepted?
@ Victoria R.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you say that people will still judge Tom and judge his harshly if they found out his true race. When you said "We can't change" I found that so powerful! Would knowing people would treat you differently in a negative light prevent someone from showing their true colors?
@Rebekkah
ReplyDeleteDo you think your quote could show Social Darwinism as both good and bad? What are the characteristics that make it good or bad? Do you think that some of Tom's 'black' characteristics could have been seen without knowing that he was 1/32 black?
@ Victoria R.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that we all really are stuck in our ways and can't change? I agree that we all have to live with what we are born with, but I think that "Pudd'nhead Wilson" shows the opposite perspective. Tom grows up with the fact that he is 1/32 black, but he has been treated/nurtured his whole life as a white person. This is an example of how we can almost "cheat" our way out of our natural characteristics and live a life that we were not destined to live.
@Kyle
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that on Mark Twain's view that humans are extremely prejudiced and that slavery itself is savage. This statement supports nurture over nature as whites were nurtured with the idea that they are more superior to blacks and that it's okay to treat them as animals.
@Liz B
ReplyDeleteI agree that Barringer contradicts himself in this essay. At time he says nature beats nurture, and others he says nurture beats nature. You can read it both ways.
@Tatiana@Me
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, there are situations when nature is more prominent than nurture and times when nurture dominates over nature.
@Alex A
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement about how it isn't Tom's family roots but his behavior and nurture as he was raised that shows who he truly is. I think that it is how people are raised not their identity that defines them and not their roots that controls them.
Alex D.
I agree that his essay is full of contradictions and how he advocates that idea that it is nurture not nature that defines someone. I believe that this whole book revolves around that idea of nature versus nature that controls someone and that many of the characters in the book support this.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“The language and forms of civilization may be maintained, but the savage nature remains. It is the nature that makes the criminal and imperils a civilization, not the language, the skin or the clothes.”
ReplyDeleteBarringer obviously thinks that nature outweighs nurture and he displays a racist opinion that Africans have a nature of crime. I think that this quote conflicts somewhat with Puddn'Head Wilson and is somewhat supportive of the book. Because Tom was nurtured as a white person, he acts superior to the black people because he believes that he is better than them. That is the way that society was and Tom was raised thinking that he was at the top. But at the same time, a person's initial nature is always going to affect how they act. If Tom had been raised as a slave, he might just be an arrogant slave. So I think that the quote both supports and contradicts therefore it's a combination of the two. It also relates to Social Darwinism because it says that the nature is what makes people criminals but in order for the civilization to succeed there must be order. They thought that the Africans had an initial nature of crime and therefore thought that they would not survive socially because of their nature. This quote relates to the On the Damned Human Race because it showed that people are at the bottom of all animals because they are horrible to other people. This is an example of this because Barringer is stereotyping a group of people by a presumed nature because of racism.
@Shannon
ReplyDeleteI think that your comment was very interesting. It is interesting that the African American stereotype was without self-control and with crime and dishonesty however they do have the strength to survive. And where would the people of the south be without their slaves. They would be angry. It shows that they do contradict themselves because the people who survive are not always who they think they want to survive socially.-Katie
@Rachel
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment completely. Barringer is suggesting that the nurture will change a person’s nature. And because Tom was nurtured as an arrogant white boy, he probably would act a bit different if he knew from the beginning that he was a small fraction African American. I think that it is interesting that your quote contradicts my quote so much. I think that that shows that his only reasoning behind his argument is racism and he is showing both sides of the argument and never really picking one particular one that would stand out.
Tor H.
ReplyDelete"Them peoples [Humans] sure is loopy."