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Huckleberry Finn Character Development

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Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn shows the development of a young boy named Huck Finn. We see Huck develop in character, attitude and maturity as he goes on his adventure down the Mississippi River. This is displayed through his search for freedom from civilization and it's beliefs and through his personal observations of a corrupt and immoral society. Most importantly, we are in Huck's head as he goes through his confusion over his supposedly immoral behavior and his acceptance that he will “go to hell” as he conquers his social beliefs. Huck's dissatisfaction in civilization and it's beliefs is the trigger to his development and growth. At first, Huck is shown as an ignorant 12 year old, born in to the harsh life of pre civil …show more content…

During this time, Huck runs into the Grangerford family however, soon finds him self in the middle of a feud against the Shepherdsons. The families are both shown as educated and civilized Christians. However, they show no sense of that as they have been engaged in a violent feud that has spanned about three decades because of reasons no one seems to remember. Huck, who is unable to comprehend the reasons why these could only watch as everyone around him is engulfed in this battle that has resulted in deaths on both sides. Huck later finds Jim and retreat back to the river. This scene and this feud between the two families is important for two reasons. One reason is that it shows these two supposedly “civilized” and well respected families being incredibly cruel to each other. It confirms the corruption of a society which is supposed to be based off the beliefs and values of Christianity. It's also important because it highlights Jim and Hucks relationship a little bit. Society would condemn their relationship, however, they are not trying to kill each other every chance they get as the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords are. Their relationship contrasts the Shephersons relationship with the …show more content…

Huck's observation and reaction to the feud of the two families has reinforced his conscience about the chaos of white society in comparison to Negroes. Huck's reaction in regards to the King and the Duke is also an important point in Huck's development as a person. Huck, having been exposed and shown the immoral and corrupt products of society has grown strong enough to work against society in the end. This development has allowed huck go approach society in a more skeptical manner and to confront and accept that society and the world is not Widow Douglas' delusional mirage. This resulted in Huck to have more confidence in his relationship with Jim and loosened his bond with society's immoral

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