Comparing Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn

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Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, two names that will be forever

intertwined when relating to our posterity the lives lived by eighteenth century

Americans on the Mississippi. However, is this "parallel relationship"

between the two unforgettable characters truly deserved? The

differences between Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are significant and numerous.

First

of all, the difference in confidence between Tom and Huck is evident,

Tom

willing to try anything while Huck is more reserved. Huck and Tom

handle

civilization in a different manner, making for another contrast in

character.

Finally, Tom and Huck differ in their dogma of the world. Tom is

adamant

about trying to live an adventurous life while Huck's seems to be

constantly

reevaluating the values that society has instilled upon him.

While both yearning for adventures, Tom and Huck's confidence are polar

opposites. Tom is an outgoing, and dangerous wild child. When talking

about

his gang, Tom says, "Everybody has to take an oath, and write his name

in

blood," which succinctly shows his confident desire for adventure. Huck

Finn,

is more reserved and much less gregarious that Tom. When Huck questions

by

saying, "How do we ransom these fellows if we don't know how to do it,"

his

coyness is apparent. While they are similarly mischievous, Tom's overt

wildness is much different from Huck's conscience.

Tom and Huck through adverse fates have ended up "civilized" in St.

Petersburg. Tom lives with his aunt Polly and Cousins. Tom is content

with

his lifestyle, he has never run away for any extended period of time.

Huck

becomes Widow Douglass' adopted child at the end of The Adventures of

Tom

Sawyer, however, Huck does not remain quarantined by society. Within

months, he is once again with Pap. After leaving Pap, Huck and Jim, the widow's

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