Themes Taught through Individual Characters and Society in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” Huck said this after he and Jim escaped from the troublesome feud between the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons. The raft represents to Huck an escape from the troublesome and sick society in the outside world. The raft also represents live itself as it floats along the river. Along with the raft, the river represents the path of life and how it can turn in many unexpected ways and how obstacles can get in the way of things at any time. During Huck and Jim’s journey along the Mississippi, obstacles in the form of troublesome slave hunters and scandalous royalty constantly took them off course and led them on a temporary sidetrack.

As they were escaping from the civilized world, they take refuge in the Jackson’s Island, on the Mississippi river. Huck is running away from a bad father and Jim has leaved Miss Watson because he didn’t want to be sold to New Orleans. Soon after joining Jim on the island, Huck begins to realize that Jim has more talents and intelligence than Huck has been aware of. Jim knows "all kinds of signs" about the future, people's personalities, and weather forecasting. Huck finds this kind of information necessary as he and Jim drift down the Mississippi on a raft.

He personally sees all people as equals, due to his untraditional upbringing. While others see Jim as lesser than them due to the pigment of his skin, Huck views him as good based completely off of his actions. Also, Huck resents the “civilized,” nature of society. He feels oppressed prior to being kidnapped, and fears feeling that way again at the end of the novel. Complications/Rising Action: (especially list things that cause suspense or offer foreshadowing) • Huck becomes paranoid about his father returning, going to Jim to hear a prophecy on rather or not is suspicions would become a

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).

After finding out that the men of the town are searching for Jim, the two load up on a raft and sail down the river. Huck’s life has changed very drastically through these course of events. When he was living in town he learned manners, and how to be civilized. Now he is floating peacefully down the Mississippi River without a care in the world. For Jim, life on the river is always threatening.

Widow Douglas attempted to conform Huck to the ways of society, but he decided to break free and live his life under his own individual law. Huck and Jim escape from society on a raft; both having different reasons for escaping. Huck is fond of Jim but he is worried that he is breaking the law by helping a runaway slave. One hand tells him to return Jim to Miss Watson, the other says to help Jim escape. On the raft, Jim and Huck can be themselves, which mainly consists of: being naked, being talkative and being free of social norms.

For Huck and Jim, the river is a place for freedom and adventure. Mark Twain uses the Mississippi River to symbolize freedom, adventure, and comfort. For Jim he has nothing else to lose. He runs away from Widow Douglas's house because he finds out that she is going to sell him off to a plantation in the South. .

In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, the two main characters, Huck and Jim, find peace on the Mississippi as they spend endless nights floating down stream. Becoming civilized in society is a major theme in the novel and the Mississippi river helps Huck and Jim become uncivilized as it provides them with protection from the outside world, freedom, and adventure. The Mississippi River provides Huck and Jim protection from the civilized world around them. Miss Watson takes Huck in as a son, but Huck is not used to such restrictions: "she took me for her son, and allowed that she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time"(1). Miss Watson wants to civilize Huck by teaching him correct manners by telling him things such as: “Don’t put your feet up there, Huckleberry” and “Don’t scrunch up like that Huckleberry-set up straight” (2).

When Pap Finn comes home, he is drunk and beats Huck. Huck figures out a way to fake his death and escape once again. He floats down the Mississippi river and lives the "freedom life." Huck retreats to Jackson Island where he meets Jim, the slave on Miss Watson's ranch. Huck and Jim decide to team up and escape together.

After several weeks, Huck gets word that the island is about to be searched for Jim. The two pack up some things, and head down the river on a raft. Their plan is to reach Cairo, Illinois, where they will take a steamboat up the Ohio River to the free states. Their attempts are thwarted by poor weather conditions and they soon discover that they have passed the small town of Cairo in the fog. The two boys change their plans and continue their journey downriver.