Themes in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which Transcend Boundaries of Time and Culture

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Mark Twain’s novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), commonly known as Huckleberry Finn or Huck Finn, colorfully depicts people and places along the great Mississippi River. the novel contains a collection of themes which transcend time and cultural boundaries. It tells of a poor white buy running from a brutal parent, and an African-American man attempting to escape and free his himself from slavery. The main character, Huckleberry Finn, spends much time in the novel floating down the Mississippi River on a raft with a runaway slave named Jim. Before he does so, however, Huck spends some time in the fictional town of St. Petersburg where a number of people attempt to influence him. Life is a journey which involves physical and mental experiences. The novel speaks to this unique experience/journey as well

Set around 1839 with Huck Finn as the narrator, the novel is set in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri located along the Mississippi River. The tale starts with Tom Sawyer and Huck acquiring a large sum of money due to their previous adventures. Attempting to civilize him and steer him from the wayward side, the Widow Douglass and her sister, Miss Watson decode to adopt Huck. Huck feels confined in this new type of life and with the aid of Tom, escapes. Further misfortune arise when he unexpectedly encounters his abusive/drunkard and shiftless father, Pap. After forcibly resuming custody of Huck, Pap takes him to the backwoods where he holds Huck captive in his cabin. Huck runs away from Pap and with the aid of an elaborate plan, fakes his own death. Free, Huck sets off down the Mississippi.

Huck’s first life changing encounter is with Miss Watson’s former slave, Jim. The two meet on J...

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... characters. Some critics might feel that Twain’s use of the word “nigger” too much and too loosely. However, this is not enough and good reason because this is how blacks were referred by then. Probably, Twain

wanted to write a historically accurate books.

To have used the word African-American would

have taken away from the story’s impact and make it sound stupid. If Twain

wanted to write an historically accurate book, as he did, then the inclusion

of this word is totally necessary.

Contemptible/ ignorant behavior is glaringly reflective throughout planet via humanity (war, violence, racism, etc.) and the various institutions (religious, political, economical, etc.). Suffice to say, Huckleberry Finn is the vehicle that Mark Twain uses to personify the human evolvement process (mental, spiritual, etc.) which is indelible and universal.

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