There is most certainly a reason the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic in American literature. It is nearly impossible not to be transported into the Old America setting. Mark Twain, the mad genius behind the universe of Huckleberry Finn, took tidbits and inspiration from other pieces of literature while writing this book. From slavery to Shakespeare there are many literary themes discovered by the reader. One of the key themes that is discussed by the readers of the novel is slavery. The story is set in a completely different time period where what people thought was right and wrong is completely different from current time. It was so interesting how Jim went from being the target of Tom and Huck’s prank to being Huck’s partner in crime. The reason the white people could justify what they were doing to their slaves is because they weren’t looked at as humans. “Violence is one of the most personal and even intimate acts between human beings, but it can also be cultural and societal” (Foster 95). It was pleasant as the story progressed to see Huck get to know and understand Jim. Huck finally sees that Jim has the same feeling and emotions that he himself has. They both share difficult living situations, they are both constantly commanded, and the only difference is society doesn’t see Jim and Huck as equal. Another theme that is frequently brought up is how Huck is supposed to act. The Widow and Miss Watson are constantly trying to correct his manners and make him
In chapter 31, Huck becomes faced with either helping Jim escape, or to abide by slave laws, which “is still a critique of slavery and racism” (Smith 184). Even though Twain used the word nigger, “the novel still presents teachable moments--provoking conversations about slavery, its moral dilemmas for the country, and its historical consequences” (Smith 184). Mark Twain wrote in a way that “enables its American readers to approach the most profoundly troubling issue in their history without risk of being overcome with the fear and guilt that is attached to this subject” (Kaye 14). Twain’s writing style makes this story so understandable that you fail to notice the gap of 132 years between then and now and you realize how similar things are to this
Jim struggles with major racial difficulties during this time period and Huck learns from his father that blacks are inferior to whites. He makes many comments and attempts to compare his son Huck to Jim who is seen to be “stupid” because of the lesser knowledge that Jim has than that of Pap. Although when Pap pretends to die and Huck seizes his chance to plot and escape, Jim accompanies Huck on his journey down the Mississippi river to find a new home. So far in the novel Jim has shown his loyalty to Huck and Huck begins to question both of their positions in society. Huck sees that it racial inequality because there is nothing wrong with Jim. He is a forced laborer barricaded by whites chaining him to the land but when Huck comes along what little does he know it is wrong to be with a black man. Huck varies from his father Pap because not only does Pap treat his son as an aggressive drunk but Pap doesn’t see the goodness that comes from Jim or even the mere similarity between these to humans let alone there skin. Well Huck sees that in Jim and that’s all that matters is that even though Huck isn’t getting an education he sees morality in this novel and discovers
A work of literature can be read by ten different people, and it will be understood ten different ways; Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is no exception. At the end of the novel, Tom reveals his plans for the “evasion” which is relatively immoral, but Tom and Huck would never know whether it was or was not. In addition to its blind cruelty, it is misleading in that it seems as if it is meant to be interpreted, which is one reason why it is constantly critiqued. Another reason it is hotly debated is due to its contextual inconsistency and the potential underlying meanings of those anomalies. The multiple possibilities it opens up to the reader can be interpreted in a variety ways and has been by many literary critics. By using the commentary made on the “evasion” by literary critics, and through examples drawn from the novel itself, it will become evident that Twain did not write the “evasion” for any consistent reason, other than to fit the inconsistency of his novel.
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, gives an eye opening view of the South during this time period through the eyes of Huck and Jim. Huck and Jim are very unlikely friends but become friends never the less and share many experiences on the river together. The two influence each other in more ways than one and may not even realize they do. They both have their own opinions and views although society heavily impacts them. Society’s view on racism is Huck’s view on racism because that is what he was brought up to be. The society has a powerful effect to smother problems such as slavery and racism. Huck being brought up in a society that ingrains racism in to you as a child is struggling to decide what is morally right and wrong to do and who will hopefully realize Jim's humanity at the end of the novel (Culture Shock).While talking to Huck, Aunt Sally projects "It warn't the grounding -- that didn't keep us back but a little. We blowed out a cylinder-head." "Good gracious! anybody hurt?" "No'm. Killed a nigger." "Well, it's lucky; because sometimes people
Huck and Jim go through many adventures together, Huck trying to help Jim be a free man; but thinking him as an equal. The overall theme of the novel is the coming of age over a period of time. “They talked it over, and they was going to rule me out, because they said every boy must have a family or somebody to kill, or else it wouldn’t be fair and square for the others. Well, nobody could think of anything to do-everybody was stumped, and set still. I was most ready to cry; but all at once I thought of a way, and so I offered them Miss Watson-they could kill her” (6).
The character development of Huckleberry Finn from Mark Twain’s piece, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” reflects the transition from boyhood to manhood of the main protagonist who is challenged by society to either maintain his own unique perspective and attitude or assimilate into a civilized community that upholds traditional White-American beliefs. Similarly, Kate Chopin in her novel “The Awakening,” utilizes fictional storytelling to articulate the internal struggle of Edna Pontellier on her quest to part from her conventional role as a woman and for the first time since youth, pursue her self interests. Chopin’s work targets current social understanding of morality and ethics, removing the notion that you have to abide by what society demands from you based on predetermined unjustified reason. The development of the characters’ identity in these texts reciprocate the complex nature of living life with society pushing down on you with standards and expectations, challenging your own thoughts and visions. This a persistent topic that Chopin and Twain, both engage in explaining through storytelling to highlight current social issues, where they indirectly reference the American Civil War and Women’s Rights Movement during the mid to late eighteen hundreds. The social conflict in Huckleberry Finn examines the nature of an individual’s process to gain consciousness about their role in life, which enables them to do what they consider morally just. This thinking is also
Themes to a book can be easy to spot. But going deeper into the pages really defines a novel. One will pick up on things like an author is leaving little breadcrumbs behind for the reader to pick up on. Now, when analyzing text to a book, you must chunk it, small pieces at a time, so one can really dig deep into the pages of the book. So deep one can pry the staples out of the book. Take Chapters 17 and 18 of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” for example.
Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain's classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, tells the story of a teenaged misfit who finds himself floating on a raft down the Mississippi River with an escaping slave, Jim. In the course of their perilous journey, Huck and Jim meet adventure, danger, and a cast of characters who are sometimes menacing and often hilarious.
Symbolism in Huckleberry Finn Throughout “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, Mark Twain uses linguistic devices such as symbolism to develop thematic connections throughout the book. There are many objects in the story that he uses to portray symbolism. The biggest symbol in the story is the Mississippi River as it is most often the main setting for Huck and Jim when they are on the raft.
A major theme in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is slavery and our evolvement towards the institution. “In fact, Twain’s novel is often taught as the text that epitomizes this tradition, with Huck held up as its exemplar: a boy courageous enough to stand against the moral conventions of his society. . .” (Bollinger, 32 – Say It Jim) In the beginning of Huckleberry Finn’s relationship with Jim, he has little respect for him and as their journey progresses he
Huck Finn, the protagonist in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, comes from the lowest level of society and yet his personality is more pure than anyone else. Huck’s father is the town drunk, and because he avoids his father, Huck is frequently homeless. The difference in background distances Huck from the mainstream society making him skeptical to change, as he is when the Widow Douglas attempts to “reform” him. Although he was not integrated into society, he has his own moral outlook on life that is pure. Huck encounters the slave Jim who is a factor into his parting from the corrupted society they live in. Jim puts a hole into Huck’s understanding of the world; Huck learned that slaves are property, not actually intelligent humans, but
To many readers, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is known as the “Great American Novel”. It tells a story about a young boy and an escaped slave who develop an unlikely friendship while traveling down the Mississippi River. Twain explores many American literature themes in his writing. Three themes that appear frequently throughout the novel are freedom, nature, and individual conscience.
Mark Twain authored the book labeled the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this comedy and adventure, Twain describes the events Huckleberry and his friend Jim go through in their pursuit to freedom. While escaping from his abusive father, Huck escapes to an island. There he finds, Jim, Miss Watson’s slave, who ran away from her. Discovering they were both searching for freedom, they team together to escape their past. The main theme in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the pursuit of freedom.
Throughout the evolution of the world’s societies, the roles of women seem to act as a reflection of the time period since they set the tones for the next generation. Regardless of their own actions, women generally appear to take on a lower social standing and receive an altered treatment by men. In Mark Twain’s pre-civil war novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, lies a display of how society treats and views women, as well as how they function in their roles, specifically in regards to religion and molding the minds and futures of children. The novel’s showcase of women affords them a platform and opportunity to better see their own situation and break away with a new voice.
The following paper will briefly show arguments, and conclusions within the writings of Mark Twain’s story Huckleberry Finn. I will discuss the various themes that Mark Twain is bringing to light within his story. This paper will show how Mark Twain uses those themes within the story, and how they are specifically used. I will also briefly discuss the life of Samuel Clemons, the author known as Mark Twain, and give the reasoning behind choosing the name of Mark Twain when writing his novels. Themes of escapism will be discussed.