Mark Twain utilized the theme of Realism versus Romanticism throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to display his beliefs regarding society. In the concluding chapters of the novel, Twain writes comical and ridiculous scenes. This ending correlates with Twain’s theme of Realism versus Romanticism, though some critics reduce it to literary burlesque.
Twain uses the theme of Realism versus Romanticism at the beginning of his novel in addition to the close. In the first few chapters of the book, Tom embodies Romanticism, while Huck embodies realism. Huck puzzles over the practicality of their gang considering, “We hadn’t robbed nobody, hadn’t killed any people, but only just pretended….I couldn’t see no profit in it” (11). Tom thinks differently. Due to his vast knowledge of books, he knows of genies and magicians, robbers and ransoms. Tom perceives the world romantically with fantastical ideas, while Huck takes the world as it is in its simplest form. …show more content…
Huck and Tom both formulate strategies to free the slave Jim. Huck’s strategy is realistic and Tom’s strategy is romantic. In order to free Jim as quickly and easily as possible, Huck proposes that they “steal the key out of the old man’s britches…, and shove off down the river on the raft with Jim…”(208). Tom condemns his idea as “too blame’ simple” and demands that they follow the complicated methods presented in his books. Yet again, Huck is being realistic and considering the world as it is. Tom, on the other hand, is being imaginative and considering the world as it could
Twain uses the theme of Realism versus Romanticism at the beginning of his novel in addition to the close. In the first few chapters of the book, Tom embodies Romanticism, while Huck embodies realism. Huck puzzles over the practicality of their gang considering, “We hadn’t robbed nobody, hadn’t killed any people, but only just pretended….I couldn’t see no profit in it” (11). Tom thinks differently. Due to his vast knowledge of books, he knows of genies and magicians, robbers and ransoms. Tom perceives the world romantically with fantastical ideas, while Huck takes the world as it is in its simplest form. …show more content…
Huck and Tom both formulate strategies to free the slave Jim. Huck’s strategy is realistic and Tom’s strategy is romantic. In order to free Jim as quickly and easily as possible, Huck proposes that they “steal the key out of the old man’s britches…, and shove off down the river on the raft with Jim…”(208). Tom condemns his idea as “too blame’ simple” and demands that they follow the complicated methods presented in his books. Yet again, Huck is being realistic and considering the world as it is. Tom, on the other hand, is being imaginative and considering the world as it could