Coming Of Age Huckleberry Finn Analysis

Children are protected from reality in the creation of an escape. As children mature, escape recedes, and slowly reveals reality. In literature, the thematic archetypal process of "coming of age" situates an immature character residing within an escape, and their growth to existing within a mature reality. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn however, Mark Twain refutes the archetype's linear progression with Huck, a thirteen-year-old on the verge of breaking from childhood. Huck does not 'come of age', but rather vacillates in an internal conflict between the escape of childhood, and the reality of adulthood. Huck's internal conflict stems from the influence of two main characters, his childhood friend Tom Sawyer and runaway companion Jim. Huck's chronological exposition to the effect of consequences exemplify the tension between childhood and adulthood. Ultimately, Huck conforms to neither sentiment, but rather …show more content…
All converge in the final setting at the Pikes farm. The symbolic representation of both characters climaxes in the prison break. Literally chained by reality to a bed-stead, society and the consequences for being black imprisons Jim. In contrast, Tom exists fully within the escape, playing "break Jim out" free of consequence for he has already been pardoned by Miss Watson. Huck struggles in conformity to both characters's needs and ideals. Huck identifies the simple realist adult choice. "Why, you just said a body could lift up the bed-stead and slip the chain off."(Page) However, Huck indulges himself in childish escapism by concisely playing along to Tom's plan. As Jim elaborate escape fails, Huck still struggles between the two. Indicative of his desire to " light out for the Territory ahead of the rest"(302). Huck ultimately possesses the desire to exist within an escape, albeit now