The Worth of “Huck Finn”
According to Ernest Hemingway, “All modern American literature comes from Huckleberry Finn” (Hill). Now, if all modern literature originates from this novel, why is it not mandatory reading? This classic novel is realistic, which allows it to relate to society today and also in the future. Huck Finn follows the story of Huckleberry and Jim on a journey together that leads them to friendship. Although both characters are so different physically, it is their harsh realities, in which they are escaping, that bring them together. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an important, appreciated novel and should continue in high school curriculum because of Mark Twain’s use of realism and regionalism portrayed through Huck …show more content…
For example, some declare that Tom Sawyer’s re-appearance “ruins” the entire book (Hill). Apparently, the entire novel is supposed to discuss the journey of Huck and Jim together, and not with Tom interrupting in random scenes. Another popular, though inaccurate claim is that since Tom is playing tricks on Jim, he is only sinning the laws of social code. As critic Leo Marx states, “...Jim has already been freed by Miss Watson, so that Tom’s schemes to free him at the end only pretend to transgress the law and the social code” (Hill). In other terms, Marx is stating that Jim is already free, so Tom’s tricks are just cruel to Jim’s character and feelings. Some even believe that Tom’s games “rob” Jim of his humanity in the novel, because Jim is still treated like a slave, even though he has just become a free man! Furthermore, these naysayers contend that the language and dialect of the novel confuses readers, allowing them to believe that the novel should be omitted from learning. Throughout the novel, the characters of Huckleberry, Jim, and even Pap talk in different ways, using informal language. Under these circumstances, readers believe that the characters’ ways of language affect the story, and make the novel hard to read and enjoy. Although these claims make sense, they are also completely absurd. For instance, Tom Sawyer’s reappearance at the ending may provide readers with anger and confusion, but he is supposed to reappear, in order for readers to be reminded of the beginning of the novel. Moreover, the ending should allow Huck to “disappear” behind Tom’s shadow of extravagance, just like in the beginning. Further support is demonstrated when T.S. Eliot clearly states, “...if this was not the right ending for the book, what ending would have been right?” (Eliot). Obviously, Eliot is saying that there really is not
According to Ernest Hemingway, “All modern American literature comes from Huckleberry Finn” (Hill). Now, if all modern literature originates from this novel, why is it not mandatory reading? This classic novel is realistic, which allows it to relate to society today and also in the future. Huck Finn follows the story of Huckleberry and Jim on a journey together that leads them to friendship. Although both characters are so different physically, it is their harsh realities, in which they are escaping, that bring them together. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an important, appreciated novel and should continue in high school curriculum because of Mark Twain’s use of realism and regionalism portrayed through Huck …show more content…
For example, some declare that Tom Sawyer’s re-appearance “ruins” the entire book (Hill). Apparently, the entire novel is supposed to discuss the journey of Huck and Jim together, and not with Tom interrupting in random scenes. Another popular, though inaccurate claim is that since Tom is playing tricks on Jim, he is only sinning the laws of social code. As critic Leo Marx states, “...Jim has already been freed by Miss Watson, so that Tom’s schemes to free him at the end only pretend to transgress the law and the social code” (Hill). In other terms, Marx is stating that Jim is already free, so Tom’s tricks are just cruel to Jim’s character and feelings. Some even believe that Tom’s games “rob” Jim of his humanity in the novel, because Jim is still treated like a slave, even though he has just become a free man! Furthermore, these naysayers contend that the language and dialect of the novel confuses readers, allowing them to believe that the novel should be omitted from learning. Throughout the novel, the characters of Huckleberry, Jim, and even Pap talk in different ways, using informal language. Under these circumstances, readers believe that the characters’ ways of language affect the story, and make the novel hard to read and enjoy. Although these claims make sense, they are also completely absurd. For instance, Tom Sawyer’s reappearance at the ending may provide readers with anger and confusion, but he is supposed to reappear, in order for readers to be reminded of the beginning of the novel. Moreover, the ending should allow Huck to “disappear” behind Tom’s shadow of extravagance, just like in the beginning. Further support is demonstrated when T.S. Eliot clearly states, “...if this was not the right ending for the book, what ending would have been right?” (Eliot). Obviously, Eliot is saying that there really is not