When people think of theme they see universal truths, but do they envision a child portraying it? The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a work of fiction about a young boy who journeys across the American South with a runaway slave. As Huck travels, he encounters many obstacles along the way that each portray a theme Mark Twain is trying to convey to his audience.
Huckleberry Finn’s encounter with the civilized world shows the true nature of the townspeople. This is seen first when Miss Watson and Widow Douglas try to change Huck to fit in with society without taking his best interests into consideration. Twain shows this when Huck says that Widow Douglas “would sivilize me” (Twain 1). All he wanted was to be in nature and “[He] …show more content…
The gang can serve as a symbol of escape, but also being naive. Huck “offered them Miss Watson- they could kill her” (Twain 8). Tom’s Gang of Robbers are ignorant to what murder actually is. In retaliation to what Miss Watson did to Huck he decides to offer her up to be murdered. They were just going off the books that Tom has read. In this case Tom leads Huck into the wrong path yet again. When Huck finally escapes from the civilization he grew up in he then comes across another that hides many horrific truths. In the Grangerford’s estate the blood feud brought many horrors onto Huck. He meets this family that takes care of him and eventually Huck begins to enjoy their life. Twain pokes satire at the lifestyle of southern families when describing the Grangerfords. He gives an image of a perfect lifestyle, but in the cracks there are many faults such as the blood feuds. Huck becomes friends with everyone in the family and in the end he “cried a little when [Huck] was covering up Buck’s face, for he was mighty good to [Huck]” (Twain 116). Twain shows how ridiculous the feuds are and how it burns horrifying images into Huck’s head. He witnesses Buck’s death …show more content…
When Huck and Tom discover Jim they do not rescue him immediately, instead tom uses it as an opportunity for fun rather than taking it seriously. This is seen as Tom questions, “you ever hear of a prisoner having picks and shovels” (Twain 244). Tom is still engulfed in his adventure books instead of the welfare of humans. Jim wants to be released, but goes along with the boys plan since he has no choice. Tom delays the release of Jim even though he is supposed to be free. Tom and Huck are selfish at this point of the book which shows how Huck’s moral epiphany from earlier was all for nothing. Huck reverts back to how he was in the beginning of the story due to Tom’s influence. As Huck and Tom go on their selfish adventures they said, “So we allowed we would steal everything there was that come in handy” (Twain 243). In the beginning of the story Huck has issues with stealing. Throughout the book he finally realizes what the right thing is. When Tom is around, he reverts back into the kid who steals, pranks, and hurts others. All the progress that Huck went through to being the person he is now is completely gone. This is all due to Tom’s peer pressure and the blindness Huck has towards him. Seeing how Tom changes Huck’s morals, even for an instant just for the adventure it is seen that “Tom has none of Huck’s concerns. Operating from a position of power and
Huckleberry Finn’s encounter with the civilized world shows the true nature of the townspeople. This is seen first when Miss Watson and Widow Douglas try to change Huck to fit in with society without taking his best interests into consideration. Twain shows this when Huck says that Widow Douglas “would sivilize me” (Twain 1). All he wanted was to be in nature and “[He] …show more content…
The gang can serve as a symbol of escape, but also being naive. Huck “offered them Miss Watson- they could kill her” (Twain 8). Tom’s Gang of Robbers are ignorant to what murder actually is. In retaliation to what Miss Watson did to Huck he decides to offer her up to be murdered. They were just going off the books that Tom has read. In this case Tom leads Huck into the wrong path yet again. When Huck finally escapes from the civilization he grew up in he then comes across another that hides many horrific truths. In the Grangerford’s estate the blood feud brought many horrors onto Huck. He meets this family that takes care of him and eventually Huck begins to enjoy their life. Twain pokes satire at the lifestyle of southern families when describing the Grangerfords. He gives an image of a perfect lifestyle, but in the cracks there are many faults such as the blood feuds. Huck becomes friends with everyone in the family and in the end he “cried a little when [Huck] was covering up Buck’s face, for he was mighty good to [Huck]” (Twain 116). Twain shows how ridiculous the feuds are and how it burns horrifying images into Huck’s head. He witnesses Buck’s death …show more content…
When Huck and Tom discover Jim they do not rescue him immediately, instead tom uses it as an opportunity for fun rather than taking it seriously. This is seen as Tom questions, “you ever hear of a prisoner having picks and shovels” (Twain 244). Tom is still engulfed in his adventure books instead of the welfare of humans. Jim wants to be released, but goes along with the boys plan since he has no choice. Tom delays the release of Jim even though he is supposed to be free. Tom and Huck are selfish at this point of the book which shows how Huck’s moral epiphany from earlier was all for nothing. Huck reverts back to how he was in the beginning of the story due to Tom’s influence. As Huck and Tom go on their selfish adventures they said, “So we allowed we would steal everything there was that come in handy” (Twain 243). In the beginning of the story Huck has issues with stealing. Throughout the book he finally realizes what the right thing is. When Tom is around, he reverts back into the kid who steals, pranks, and hurts others. All the progress that Huck went through to being the person he is now is completely gone. This is all due to Tom’s peer pressure and the blindness Huck has towards him. Seeing how Tom changes Huck’s morals, even for an instant just for the adventure it is seen that “Tom has none of Huck’s concerns. Operating from a position of power and