The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic work in American literature that is used in classrooms everywhere to educate and enlighten students. Twain’s work despite being over two hundred years old is still to this day the premier example of American literature and at the time of its creation served to show the world a new movement in literature into realism and satire and away from the romanticism of the 1800’s. Despite the incredible resistance this book has faced from its inception, the work has endured as its principles of timeless morality and the evils of hypocrisy remain prominent in a modern society. Huck is truly a universal character who despite his roots in a rural St. Petersburg Mississippi appeals to young adults of diverse backgrounds and all ages. It is this continued ability to inspire and provide common ground to the modern student that today makes Huck Finn a relevant book and is the reason why I chose to read it for this assignment.

While the examples of struggle given in Huck Finn are in most cases nonexistent or radically different in today’s world the principles and morals Huck exhibits will always have a modern implication so long as there is evil and unfairness in this world. Huck’s problems throughout the book are numerous initially he is confronted with the problem of a drunk and abusive father. For all intents and purposes once Huck escapes from his father’s brutal beatings in the cabins he is an orphan responsible solely for himself without the guidance and nurturing of any parents. Twain’s portrayal of Huck as a child who ultimately is able to overcome his surroundings and become a kind caring person capable of discerning things for himself serves to provide hope to orphans and victims of child...

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...effect on my life in the months and years to come. That being said this book comes with my highest recommendation and I strongly believe that anyone can benefit greatly from this. The ideas and principles discussed in this book truly are timeless. Regardless of your race, age or gender this book has implications in your life and a thorough reading of it will leave you with a renewed resolve to have a positive impact on this world and hopefully make yourself a better person. In the novel the river serves as a symbol for many things. Amongst them is the idea of a journey, as Huck travels down the Mississippi he is able to gain a new level of maturity and wisdom. Just as Huck is on his journey our lives are also like a ride down the river as we grow older we must learn to progress forward rather than becoming sidetracked on shore or worse regressing back up the river.