Huck Finn Super Ego Essay

The story of Huck Finn revolves around the idea of id, ego and super ego and how the characters represent each to influence Huck. Throughout the novel Huck is torn between the childlike id and the mature super ego. His experiences along the Mississippi further develop his super ego and help him deal with problems in a mature way. Jim, Tom, and the con men are there to develop Huck’s understanding of the 3 traits and how to use them when he needs. In the novel Huckleberry Finn, Huck’s adventures and experiences with the characters help to develop his super ego and mold him to be a better person then in the beginning.

Huck was rather immature in the beginning of the novel, using his id more then the others. The id is a pleasure principle that “strives for immediate gratification of all desires, wants, and needs” (Cherry). He did what he wanted when he wanted with no care for anything or anyone. “Now we’ll start this band of robbers and

call it Tom Sawyers Gang… What’s the line of business of this gang? Nothing only robbery and murder, Tom said” (Twain 10-11). Huck joined to impress his friends though the morality of it was wrong, but his id took over pushing him to choose pleasure over logic. As a maturing boy this would be the likely choice for Huck but as he gains experience in his travels choices are soon made by the super ego instead.
Huck’s ego grows throughout most of the book further cultivating his super ego and repressing his id.

The ego operates according to the reality principle “working out realistic ways of satisfying the id’s demands, often compromising or postponing satisfaction to avoid negative consequences of society” (McLeod). Huck developed his ego by preforming actions that the id wanted, feeling guilty if something bad happened, and then he learned from his mistake. “I went to the cavern to get some, and found a rattlesnake in there. I killed him, and curled him up on the foot of Jim’s blanket, ever so natural, thinking there’d be some fun when Jim found him there” (Twain 63). Huck wanted to play a prank on Jim, a dangerous prank but not to the id. The id just wants to see his reaction for the amusement and pleasure of the moment. Hucks super ego kicks in though when Jim is bit and he feels very guilty for what he was done teaching Huck to be more careful. In the first of many experiences Jim teaches Huck what consequences your actions can

have.
The superego is very prominent in the end of the book as it grows from each experience and along with it Huck’s ability to do good. The super ego is the “values and morals of society which are learned from one's parents and others” (Mcleod). “I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place is taking considerable many risks, though I ain't had no experience, and cant say for certain… but it looks to me anyway… and yet here’s a case where im blest if it don’t look to me like the truth is better and actually safer then a lie” (Twain 186-187). Huck lies just because it is a convenient thing to do. When he figures out that telling the truth in situations might be better he is shocked. He starts to recognize the downsides of the id and choses his super ego more because of what he has gone through.
Huck has grown up during the course of the book. His journey has taught him how to behave, treat other people, and stop acting like a child. He has grown morally with his super ego more prevalent then the id and realizes how his actions hurt others. In conclusion, Huck’s adventures and experiences developed his super ego and repressed his id to mold him into a better person.