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Main theme of huckleberry finn
Main theme of huckleberry finn
Literary analysis mark twain
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“You’ve got a friend in me. You got troubles and I’ve got em’ too. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. We stick together we can see it through. You’ve got a friend in me.” The 1995 iconic Disney movie, Toy Story, displays a motivating story about two toys that start out enemies but evolve to becoming friends. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a dynamic novel, by Mark Twain, that displays a developing friendship of the two main characters, Huck and Jim, similar to Buzzlightyear and Woody in Toy Story, in order to criticize society in this pre-civil war era. As Huck and Jim begin on their journey, they reach troubles but stick together through it all. Through their adventures, Twain demonstrates how a broken relationship between a …show more content…
Twain is using the end of the novel as a way to completely reject all societal beliefs on slavery. The audience now knows that Jim and Huck are developing a friendship, against society, but now the audience sees Huck and Jim becoming a family. As the novel comes to a close Twain integrates another major plot twist, the King has sold Jim. When Huck realizes that Jim has been sold he immediately reacts in mourning. Huck angrily utters, “ “ Sold him?” I said and begun to cry”(Twain 163). Here Twain is using Huck’s physical emotions in order to show the audience how much he truly cares about Jim. By showing his physical emotions In the moment, the audience realizes how much Huck is truly developing true, genuine feelings for Jim, against societies wishes. In this moment, Twain is making a strong claim against society. Through Huck, Twain is criticizing society. Huck is now throwing everything he has ever been taught about society out the window in order to help a friend, even though Jim is a black slave. Twain is criticizing that even though you have been taught by society one thing that does not always mean that it is the right thing. Twain is using Huck in this moment to illustrate that society’s racial beliefs are wrong and that they need to be changed. Twain not only develops Jim and Huck’s relationship into a friendship, but he develops a family relationship between the two, one that can never be replaced. One can argue that in this moment, Twain is presenting a racist message when Huck is referring to Jim as his “n*****” in the next line, but ultimately Huck’s emotions over rule showing how much he truly cares about Jim. Twain is using this moment to reject all of societal beliefs on what the
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain paints the story of a developing friendship between two entirely different people which at the time society considered unacceptable and taboo. Huckleberry Finn is a white thirteen year old boy and Jim is a middle-aged black runaway slave. They meet by coincidence while they are both hiding out on Jackson’s Island located in the middle of the Mississippi River, Huck is hiding from the townspeople who think he is dead, and Jim has runaway and is hiding from his owner. Throughout their journey together, Huck and Jim’s relationship goes from them being mere acquaintances, then to friends, then to them having a father and son relationship.
Many words the book contains are full of vivid disgust towards black slaves. Every single line talks about how white people despise and refuse to accept the black race. Answering Aunt Sally's question about whether or not anyone is hurt Huck answers, "no mum, just killed a nigger."(Twain 213) This is the one and only acceptable way to talk about black people in the "white" society. In addition to this, not only is the black people treated differently from the white, they are also considered to be one's property. "He is the only property I have," (Twain 122) Huck is perforce to say in order to save Jim. This is the only way to get through without the essence of suspicions. Though Huck shows racism in public as society teaches him, deep inside he understands that Jim is a great person. Through the eyes of Huck Finn, Mark Twain shows that there is more to people then looks and race, showing the importance of beliefs and character.
Huckleberry Finn does not address questions of law as directly as the other novels that we have read. Ostensibly, Huck is torn between disobeying the slavery laws and honoring his conscious. However, Huck shows a disregard for other laws throughout the story, so I think that his conflict stems not from a belief that one must obey the law because it is the law, or on a social contract theory. Huck is never overly concerned with the truth or the norms of society, he adheres to the mores of society because of the consequences as opposed to any fundamental acceptance of them or authority. Unlike Billy Budd, however, Huck does not seem to be influenced by the fear of corporal punishment, as much as he is concerned with the social consequences that would result if his disobedience was discovered. The choice that Huck eventually makes is deeper than just choosing to accept the social consequences, he is willing to `go to hell' for Jim, rather than betray the loyalty and trust that has grown between them.
The novel is set in the antebellum south, and throughout the course of Huck Finn we see Twain poke fun at the injustices of race relations by exploiting the importance and power of friendship. Twain develops a friendship between a White boy by the name of Huck, and a “runaway” Black slave named Jim. “Dah you goes, de ole true Huck: de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to ole Jim.” (Twain Pg. 90) This quote satirizes the views of many White people in the Antebellum South. During this time period when many Blacks were enslaved, and those not enslaved were treated as slaves, it was extremely unusual for a Black person and a White person to be friends at all. It would be unheard of to see the two conspiring, and further - unthinkable that they may have a strong and lasting friendship built on trust and loyalty. Twain contrasts this racial standard by establishing and demonstrating the power and importance of friendship, no matter the color or social status of the persons involved. Huck and Jim defy civil law by becoming the best of friends, thereby letting morality nullify law to illustrate the fundamental moral injustices of race relations in the Antebellum South
While traveling together down the river Huck and Jim, accompanied by the king and duke, came to a stop after passing their original destination, Cairo, during the night. While at the stop Huck overheard the king and duke put out a reward for Jim. Huck knows that if Miss Watson finds the reward notice, he will return back with Miss Watson.Therefore she will sell him elsewhere. When faced with this difficult situation Huck decided to write a letter to Miss Watson, however, after finishing his final sentence he realizes how Jim contains similar emotions and feelings as him and other caucasians. Huck yells after tearing up the letter “All right then, I’ll go to Hell” (Twain 31). This action supports the individual's right to think differently from mankind and express their free will or ability to choose how they interact with others. Huck treats a person of color equally when Jim discusses his relationship with his family and his past. While listening to Jim talk about his family, Huck understands that Jim cares about his family as much as a white person does and so he says “I knowed he was white inside” (Twain 30). This interaction between Huck and Jim signifies that Huck sees Jim as equal despite the racial bias set forth by mankind's stigma around different races. This scenario accurately supports Twain's idea of equality and fair treatment for all
	Huck’s attitude for Jim is racist which is seen when he decides to play a trick on Jim during their voyage. After Huck plays his trick his attitude toward Jim begins to change, "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterward, neither" (Twain 72). The dialogue throughout the book between Huck and Jim illustrates that Jim is more than property and that he is a human being with feelings, and hopes for a better future.
Ransomed? Whats that???.. it means that we keep them till they're dead (10). This dialogue reflects Twains witty personality. Mark Twain, a great American novelist, exploits his humor, realism, and satire in his unique writing style in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain, born in 1835, wrote numerous books throughout his lifetime. Many of his books include humor; they also contain deep cynicism and satire on society. Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, exemplifies his aspects of writing humor, realism, and satire throughout the characters and situations in his great American novel.
Huck Finn, a narcissistic and unreliable young boy, slowly morphs into a courteous figure of respect and selflessness. After Pap abducts the young and civilized Huck, Huck descends into his old habits of lies and half-truths. However, upon helping a runaway slave escape, Huck regains morality and a sense of purpose. Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huck lies to characters, casting the authenticity of the story into doubt but illustrating Huck’s gradual rejection of lying for himself and a shift towards lying for others.
Along their journey together, the readers realize that Jim is basically the father that Huck has never had; Jim cares for and protects Huck despite whatever may become of him. Huck returns these sentiments because he soon grows to love the slave, and their mutual affection is cemented when Huck is “ever so glad to see Jim” (41). With this, Twain urges the audience to see Jim as an equal and compassionate individual. By doing so, Twain shows how the society is corrupt and foul, as it is enslaving and threatening the life of a man who is constantly risking his own salvation to save the people around him. Huck comes to the conclusion that Jim “had a good heart in him and was a good man” (286). For example, Jim is portrayed as a hero when he selflessly saves Tom Sawyer’s life. Despite the fact that Tom has been playing with Jim’s life-and-death circumstance, Jim decides to risk everything for the child even though he is well aware that that he is jeopardizing his own freedom. Here, the “nigger” is portrayed as more of a man than any white person and Twain uses this to show how wrong and sinful slavery is. The concept of slavery itself is built upon the idea that one race is better than the other; racism does not take morals, ethics, or beliefs into account when determining
Another theme that is dealt with in this book is slavery. In fact, slavery is one of the main topics that has been frequently debated in regards to Huckleberry Finn since it was first published. Twain himself was vehemently anti-slavery and Huckleberry Finn can in many ways be seen as an allegory for why slavery is wrong. Twain uses Jim, a slave who is one of the main characters, as a way of showing the human side of a slave. Everything about Jim is presented through emotions: Jim runs away because Miss Watson was going to sell him South and separate him from his family; Jim is trying to become free so he can buy his family's freedom; and Jim takes care of Huck and protects him on their journey downriver in a very materialistic manner.
...uck’s head he struggles between the moral reasons for breaking him out and the socially acceptable reasons for leaving him there. Finally Huck’s moral compass wins the argument and he resolves to save him. Twain uses this internal struggle to show that the values of people in the south that justify slavery are wrong and a person’s moral compass should be the only thing that guides their decisions. Twain sets this up perfectly with the construction of Jim’s character. By having a person who could never purposely harm someone and shows the most genuine sympathy and regret for every bad thing he has done creates the most likeable character. Arguing against saving such a likeable character like Jim even considering the fact that he is a slave, is almost impossible and makes the reader side with the more moral choice of saving Jim despite the social ideals of that time.
...e end of the novel, Huck and the reader have come to understand that Jim is not someone’s property or an inferior man, but an equal. To say that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist novel is absurd, but there are always some hot-heads claiming that the novel is racist. These claims are not simply attempts to damage the image of a great novel, they come from people who are hurt by racism and don’t like seeing it in any context. However, they must realize that this novel and its author are not racist, and the purpose of the story is to prove black equality. It is vital for the reader to recognize these ideas as society’s and to recognize that Twain throughout the novel does encourage racist ideas, he disputes them. For this reason, and its profound moral implication, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be removed from the literary canon. [1056]
This painting depicts Huckleberry Finn and his acquaintance Big Jim and also incompasses the two conflicting sides to Huck and Jim’s friendship. “I was ever so glad to see Jim” explains Huck in chapter 8. When Huck and Jim first met, their friendship flourished because they were there for each other when no one else was. The two have a lot in common; both ran away from cruel environments. Huckleberry Finn was trying to get away from his abusive father, and Jim was running away from his master. This side of their friendship is represented through the lighter colors in the painting and by how they are just sitting enjoying eachothers company.
Mark Twain illustrates the theme of friendship through the characters Huck and Jim. Their friendship was created when Huck and Jim were put together due to common circumstances that take place throughout the novel. The friendship that was formed was constantly undergoing changes. Towards the end of the book the relationship that once existed as a simple friendship grew in to a father and son relationship. Huck and Jim were tools that Twain used to show just how the theme of friendship developed.
In the story The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn illustrated by Mark Twain confronts the theme of friendship through the characters Huck and Jim. The friendship between Huck and Jim was created due to several actions in the story that took place throughout the novel. The friendship that was created towards the end of the book had a relationship that once existed as a simple friendship grew to be a father and son relationship. Huck and Jim were shown in Twain's writing through the examples of a true theme of friendship.