Mississippi River Symbolism

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The Good and Evil of The Mississippi River
In the classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses symbolism to represent the good and evil of the Mississippi River. Throughout the novel, an uneducated Huckleberry is pulled into two different directions pertaining to what society thinks about African Americans. The racist southern society of St. Petersburg, Missouri or a runaway slave named Jim. Twain symbolizes the Mississippi River greatly whereas it's the ticket to freedom for both but can also lead to dangerous situations. Along the way Jim teaches Huck about the true meaning of life."Just because you're taught that something is right and everyone believes it's right, it don't make it right" (pg. 98). They form a trustworthy friendship during their adventures down the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River is the ultimate symbol for freedom and proves to be a peaceful retreat during beginning stages of their journey. Huck is trying to escape his abusive father Pap, who suddenly showed up in town due to his knowledge of Huck's fortune. He is also trying to get away from Miss Watson's attempt to "sivilize" him in being a better boy. "But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of therest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it. I been there before" (pg.28). Huck is just thirteen or fourteen years old who doesn't know what his future holds. Meanwhile, Miss Watson's household slave Jim, runs away due to his understanding that he will be sold to a harsher slave owner. He runs
Slavens 2 into Huck at Jacksons Island and mistakes him for a ghost. There they have a long conversation about superstitions and discover a dead snakes skin to be bad luck. Together they jo...

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...evealed that Miss Watson had papers on Jims freedom therefore making him a free man. As the novel ends, Jim tells Huck that his father had died back at Jackson's Island which also makes Huck a free man with nothing to worry.
In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, two completely different characters must bond as one as they search for freedom and independence. In the beginning events of the book, the river looks to be a retreat with smooth sailing. As the characters progress south, the river becomes a whole lot of trouble leading into one bad situation after another. The river mirrors the hardships of the true south which Huck and Jim have never experienced. When the river seemed a source of freedom, it becomes a dangerous whirlpool which pushes Huck and Jim closer into danger, which they ended up surviving and finally gained their hard earned freedom.

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