Social ordinances are implemented to secure order and prevent destruction within a civilization. A person’s defiance of authority usually complements the desire to attain individuality, which is often suppressed by society in fear of losing control among citizens. As a result, disobedience against social order is usually met with harsh punishments and consequences, whose purpose is to induce fear in hopes of preventing future misconducts of the law. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain challenged the ideals of a devout Christian society through the portrayal of Huck Finn, which is relatively similar to Hester Prynne’s defiance of Puritan morals in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. During his escape from Pap, Huck Finn
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In comparison, Hester also rebels against the restricting principles of her society, limiting the Puritan leaders’ control, proving her power as a female in a male dominated civilization. Despite being subconsciously aware of their respective fate, Huck Finn and Hester’s defiance provides a sense of independence and control, as they accept their consequences with pride rather than shame. Huck Finn and Hester’s consequence of isolation ironically cultivated the development of their individuality, as it provides them with an alternate perspective to reevaluate their respective civilizations. Their endurance of pain and consequences reveals the hypocritical principles of their respective societies, which are supposedly proclaimed as civilized. Huck Finn and Hester Prynne’s defiance of social authority ultimately leads them closer to their fate, thus evoking their endurance of isolation, which highlights the moral hypocrisy of their respective …show more content…
Upon encountering Jim on Jackson’s Island, Huck impulsively develops sympathy towards Jim due to his recent escape from Pap’s abuse. Despite the initial promise to assist Jim towards freedom and the positive development of their relationship, Huck could not ignore the guilty conscience of his defiant action. His confidence in his decision quickly begins to disintegrate, as he questions his motive for trying to liberate Jim, thus developing the subconscious desire to turn Jim over to the authorities. Huck was eventually offered the opportunity to confess Jim’s location to which he denied, as he mentally assured himself that his guilt will not be suppressed if he would have “done right and give Jim up … [justifying the lack of purpose in] learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong” (Twain 91). By concealing Jim’s location and identity, Huck continues to suffer from subconscious guilt, proving his inner strength through endurance. Huck’s defiance towards the Southern principles of slavery allows him to overlook the stereotypical and dehumanized portrayal of Jim. After resisting the temptation to follow society’s ideals of reporting Jim, Huck made a mental commitment to lead his companion towards freedom, ultimately defying traditional morals by helping and providing
In comparison, Hester also rebels against the restricting principles of her society, limiting the Puritan leaders’ control, proving her power as a female in a male dominated civilization. Despite being subconsciously aware of their respective fate, Huck Finn and Hester’s defiance provides a sense of independence and control, as they accept their consequences with pride rather than shame. Huck Finn and Hester’s consequence of isolation ironically cultivated the development of their individuality, as it provides them with an alternate perspective to reevaluate their respective civilizations. Their endurance of pain and consequences reveals the hypocritical principles of their respective societies, which are supposedly proclaimed as civilized. Huck Finn and Hester Prynne’s defiance of social authority ultimately leads them closer to their fate, thus evoking their endurance of isolation, which highlights the moral hypocrisy of their respective …show more content…
Upon encountering Jim on Jackson’s Island, Huck impulsively develops sympathy towards Jim due to his recent escape from Pap’s abuse. Despite the initial promise to assist Jim towards freedom and the positive development of their relationship, Huck could not ignore the guilty conscience of his defiant action. His confidence in his decision quickly begins to disintegrate, as he questions his motive for trying to liberate Jim, thus developing the subconscious desire to turn Jim over to the authorities. Huck was eventually offered the opportunity to confess Jim’s location to which he denied, as he mentally assured himself that his guilt will not be suppressed if he would have “done right and give Jim up … [justifying the lack of purpose in] learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong” (Twain 91). By concealing Jim’s location and identity, Huck continues to suffer from subconscious guilt, proving his inner strength through endurance. Huck’s defiance towards the Southern principles of slavery allows him to overlook the stereotypical and dehumanized portrayal of Jim. After resisting the temptation to follow society’s ideals of reporting Jim, Huck made a mental commitment to lead his companion towards freedom, ultimately defying traditional morals by helping and providing