Huck Finn Nature Analysis

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In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain illustrates human nature. The good side of nature is shown through his depiction of peoples' courage. The irrationality of mankind is exposed through the actions of characters in the novel.
Huck Finn was certainly one of the bravest characters in the book to have faced all of his adventures. When he and Jim happened upon a crashed steamboat, The Walter Scott, and discovered a ruthless band of thieves, Huck had the courage to try and stop them. Huck said, "But if we find their boat we can put all of 'em [the cutthroats] in a bad fix-for the Sheriff 'll get 'em" (Twain 90). Huck had the fearlessness to risk his own life to bring these criminals to justice. Huck Finn displayed heroism for this action. Also, Huck had the courage to follow his heart to free Jim, "All right, then, I'll go to hell"(Twain 273).
Jim also showed courage. When Jim decided to escape from slavery he did so at the risk of his own life. Jim showed the effort and courage it took to escape from slavery in the quote, "I laid dah under de shavins all day. I 'uz hungry, but I warn't afeared: bekase I knowed ole missus en de wider wuz goin' to start to de camp-meetn'"(Twain 56). Also, when Jim gave up his freedom to help the wounded Tom Sawyer, he showed the greatest act of valor in the novel. As the doctor who treated Tom Sawyer in the end of the novel stated, "I never see a nigger that was a better nuss or faithfuller"(Twain 354).
The trait of selfishness is shown in Huck's father, Pap, and the conmen referred to as the king and duke. In the novel, Pap was a violent, ignorant, drunkard who wanted pleasure for himself at the expense of his son. After hearing about Huck's fortune, Pap finally reunited wi...

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...first moves in with them, he runs away. He did not want to live a "sivilized" life like every other person in the country. He preferred freedom of wilderness and adventure to the restriction of society and its norms. Huck's acceptance of Jim is a total defiance of society. Jim is Miss Watson's slave and runs away because she is going to sell him. He would rather live a life of adventure than going to school. He has the freedom that he is used to having when living in the woods with Jim. No one is controlling his life the way Miss Watson and Pap have done in the past. Huck believes he is committing a sin by going against society and protecting Jim. He does not realize that his own instincts are more morally correct than those of society. As Huck drifts down the river on his raft, he begins to look for himself. He attempts to experience things in different situations.

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