Huckleberry Finn Chapter 8 Analysis

In this first-person narration, we are introduced to Huck. A young and uncivilized character that appears to be bound by what he knows as opposed to what the world projects. He feels rather confined by expectations of civilization and dislikes the social and cultural concepts of clean clothes, bible studies, spelling lessons, as well as manners. A theme of struggling for natural freedom on Huck’s part juxtaposes or rather mirrors Jim’s more important struggle for social freedom, freedom within the society. One of our central most talked about themes being slavery is prevalent throughout this piece by Twain, as Huck and Jim’s search for freedom down Mississippi, in a society comprised of hypocrisies, including religion and mostly the practice

In chapter 8 the key part being Huck stumbling upon Jim who ran away because Miss Watson was planning on selling him. This further reinforces the major theme of freedom and civilization between Huck and Finn. Chapter 12 introduces the river again but in a rough sense by the shores yet peaceful, as both Huck and Jim now travel down Mississippi. Chapters 14-16 defines Huck and Jim’s relationship as well as what they are capable of separately and together, their strengths and their weaknesses, as Jim proves to be more practical while Huck can read to an extent. Chapters 15 and 16 especially focuses on the complex nature of race as Huck is torn between protecting Huck as a friend but assisting a slave as an unnatural reflex which furthers the theme of slavery and race as a whole. The rest of the chapters further touches on the complex nature of friendship and race, as chapters 42-43 detail how Jim’s freedom is almost compromised as he tries to sacrifice himself for Tom as Huck once did to