Huck Finn Quote Analysis

In the novel Huck continually tells stories to get himself out of tight situations. Why doesn’t this bother Huck’s conscience? In what way is Huck forced to tell a lie? Is Huck morally wrong in doing so? Defend your argument with examples from the novel.

Huck’s habit in telling stories to get himself out of tight situations has been a continuous trend throughout the chapters. It can be inferred throughout the novel with evidence like stealing the food but not taking certain types of food that shows that Huck’s morality is yet to be finalized. Still young in age, he is easily imprinted through experiences. In Chapter 16, Huck is revealed to have an internal conflict between what he was taught was the right thing to do versus what he has actually experienced. The result is that Huck eventually creates another story that saves Jim yet again. Huck then concludes

that he will based his moral judgement on “whichever comes handiest at the time” (92). This decision justifies Huck’s thoughts abo
ut his story telling. He believes that as long as it doesn’t cause too much trouble, he believes that making up a story is not considered morally wrong. Huck usually uses this method as a protection mechanism to either avoid conflict or to get something in return. Examples such as the encounter with Mrs. Loftus and the watchman shows that Huck makes up stories in order to get something in return such as information or help. The scenes when he confronts the Grangerfords and the two con men forces Huck to come up with a quick story in order to protect himself and Jim. I disagree with the notion that Huck is not bothered by this because it is stated in the scene after Huck makes the decision to spare Jim rather than turn him in, that he felt “bad and low, because I knowed very well I had done wrong” (91). However, in order to suppress the bad feeling, Huck realizes that he would have felt just as bad if he had turned in Jim. Huck then decides to not worry about it and comes to the conclusion about doing whichever is beneficial. He tries to justify his guilt by pointing our that there was no way out of it, therefore, not having a set boundary as to what is considered morally wrong or right. In this case, in Huck’s mind, it is not morally wrong in telling these stories because there is no established line as to what is right or wrong. Unlike Huck, the readers are aware of what is considered morally right and wrong and would consider this habit of Huck to be wrong. However, because of the decision to base his action on “whichever comes the handiest”, Huck has bended the rules of morality and has started to make his own moral compass.

3) There are many examples of gullibility in the novel. In what way does Twain satirize the gullibility of the people at the camp meeting? How does the king tick them into taking up a collection? Why do they believe him? Support your argument.

Twain is famous for him satirization of society whether it would be religion, racism or human nature. Huck and Jim are outcasts of society who find their identity and home on the river, a symbol of freedom and an escape of the suffocation that is society. One of the many ways that Twain makes his point that he was against the social norms by satirizing the people of the town to be gullible. He mocks human nature by expressing people’s need to conform to what is considered a social norm. The camp meeting that was about a religious revival represent
gullibility when one of the con man who took up the status as royal king to Huck and Jim but changed his persona as a former pirate who has seen his sinful ways and has repented in devoting his life on the sea for missionary work.

The people at the meeting are fired up with the con man’s words and are blinded with emotions to see the clear fraud that he is. With full hearts, the people donated their money, time and for the young pretty ladies, their kisses to the con man and praised him for changing his wicked ways. It can be inferred that these con men are not amateurs but professionals. They are able to understand their audience and manipulate the scenarios to fit to their best interest. The people at the meeting are emotional and excited after being fired up from the preacher that it was the perfect opportunity for the con man to play his move. His words gave him the advantage and winning move to win over the people’s trust and money. Saying that he was a changed man and has devoted his life to missionary work tugged the heartstrings of the audience because that’s what the audience like to

hear.
Conformity is a trait from society that plays a huge role for justifying the townspeople's actions. Human nature has the tendency to conform to the majority in society. Because the con man took the initiative, if some people believed in him, eventually the entire group would participate in encouraging and helping him out. During the con man’s portrayal of the pirate, the people at the meeting are seen as one unit. When the con man concludes his presentation by “bursting into tears”, everyone else joined along with him (132). Then someone among the crowd proposes the idea to “take up a collection for him” which resulted in “a half a dozen made a jump to do it” (132). Twain shows that people are easily persuaded due to peer pressure and the fear of being different from society. It also what makes Huck’s character special. Although he is an outcast from society, he has no issue with it and in fact develops a strong, independent
personality that aids him throughout his travels. Twain portrays the idea that conformity is the loss of independence and individuality. He also depicts the idea that the majority does not necessarily mean that it is the right thing, but what is considered right and what should determine actions should be through individuality.
Twain uses this example to satirize the gullibility of human nature by displaying the scene dramatically and over exaggerate with stereotypes. He also uses the perspective of Huck to make the meeting seem unusual to him and out of the ordinary. Twain describe everyone in the meeting to be “shouting and crying” with “tears running down their faces as they flung themselves down on the straw, crazy and wild” (132). Twain purposefully includes descriptions of the people’s actions to justify the gullibility of the townspeople. The choices of words that Twain uses, emphasizing on the tears that were shed and the wild actions that the people take during the service and their hospitality towards the con men.

5. Through the characters of the duke and the king. Twain is satirizing royalty. What qualities in a in a king make him a “rapscallion”? How does Huck’s reference to kings throughout history prove his point? Explain your answer.

The introduction of the duke and the king sheds a new light on the ridiculousness of royalty that is established earlier in the novel. A “rapscallion” is defined as a mischievous person, and Huck mentions that the qualities that make kings rapscallions are ingrained in the royal “breed” and he makes the assumption that “all kings [are] mostly rapscallions” (153). When Huck first refers to the king as a rapscallion it is to point out his ability to scam a large amount of people out of money, an abuse of the power the trust of the people gives him. Examining his limited knowledge on the history of kings, Huck notes the kings will often exploit their position power and engage in mischievous activity that betrays their people’s trust simply because they can. Huck references several kings throughout history as evidence when he explains to Jim his lack of surprise in the king's’ ability to manipulate people. The primary example Huck uses is King Henry VIII who according to Huck’s faulty historical knowledge decapitated a new wife nearly everyday, and Huck portrays kings as consistent liars, thieves, and decapitators. Yet, despite kings being “rapscallions” their subjects willingly comply with their demands and permit themselves to be manipulated by kings simply because they possess the label of royalty. Twain satirizes the submission of the common person to proclaimed “kings” and their unwillingness to question the authority of a “reg[u]lar” (153) man that has earned their respect by calling themselves a noble. However, Huck forms a clear understanding that kings are just regular men, and concludes that although this “king” is not in actuality royalty “you couldn’t tell them from the real kind” (155). Huck essentially concludes that all king are thieves and liars just using the respect they gain from a label for their own interests.
6. The relationship between Huck and Jim is growing deeper as the novel progresses. How is Jim’s humanity expressed through the eyes of Huck? How does Jim feel about Huck? How can Huck tell? Explain your answer.

As Huck and Jim spend more time together, Jim gradually becomes more of a person in Huck’s eyes rather than property and Huck finally finds a stable father figure in Jim. The existing stereotype that surrounded slaves is that they lacked emotion, but Jim’s “moaning and mourning” (155) are manifestations of his profound grief and homesickness. Huck comes to understand Jim’s emotions noting that Jim had never left home before and missed his wife and children which allows Huck to empathize with Jim’s pain. Huck witnesses Jim’s deep feelings of sorrow, revealing a critical part of his humanity to Huck that leads him to conclude that Jim is capable of the same emotions a white person is as he “cared just as much for his people as white folks” (155) do for their own. However, at this point in their relationship Huck does not see Jim as an absolute equal and Huck has not fully abandoned the notion that Jim is Ms. Watson’s property. This is evident in Huck’s use of the word “nigger” when Huck says “he was a mighty good nigger” (155). Huck still views Jim as different and unequal to him, and his view of him as a slave instead of a man persists. Despite Huck seeing Jim’s humanity, he still views Jim not quite as a human but still a slave. In addition, Jim cares a great deal about Huck and is protective of him which is unique to Huck as he has never had a stable father figure in his life. Earlier in the novel Jim shields Huck from viewing the corpse in the floating house as it is far too ghastly for a young boy. Later, Jim offers to stand on the raft first because Huck is sleepy by that time. Huck can certainly tell that Jim significantly cares for Huck’s wellbeing as a father would, he acknowledges that “he was always mighty good” (128) to him as he is willing to put Huck’s comfort and safety before his own.