Huckleberry Finn Character Analysis Essay

Mark Twain’s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is one of the most classic American Literature Book. It consists of historical backgrounds, universality, and timelessness. But one of the most outstanding chapters of the book is chapter 27 and 28.In the two chapters, Twain’s use of the literary device – Characterization builds the character of Huckleberry Finn and show the different aspects of his character.

Characterization is “a literary device that is used step by step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story” (Literary Devices). Twain specifically uses this device to reflect the various personality of Finn and mesmerizes the readers with Finn’s charms. In the beginning of chapter 27, the story begins with Finn acting suspicious and cautious as a fox. Audiences are able to imagine the character of Finn by the way he acts because of Twain’s descriptive words. Twain starts the paragraph with “I CREPT to their doors and listened” (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), this sentence provokes readers to imagine Finn acting very cautiously, suspiciously, and sly. Readers will be able to imagine Finn hiding behind the door with dead silence and sweat falling down his forehead due to nervousness. Also, Finn acting in a suspicious way leaves

readers to think “something is going to happen”, which creates tension and a relationship between the readers and Finn. By adding this sentence, Twain not only characterized Finn, but also gave audiences a chance to support, relate, and focus on the story.
Moving on, “I slipped up to bed, feeling ruther blue” (The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn) symbolizes Finn feeling sympathy, empathy, and sadness.

Earlier in the chapter Finn saw Mary Jane crying in front of the coffin which triggered sorrow in him. In the 1800’s slaves were “forced to perform grueling labor, subjected to mental and physical degradation, and denied their most basic rights” (History Engine). As a salve Finn was physically and emotionally worn out, but having the feeling of empathy toward Mary Jane reflects humanism in Finn even as a slave. Also it indicates a naïve heart Finn had, if it were not for his naiveness he would not have any emotions even after witnessing Jane

crying.
Furthermore, in chapter 28 Finn is reflected with a mature side of him. “But they WILL – and inside of two weeks – and I KNOW it !”( Huckleberry Finn), reflects Finn as a very determined and confident man rather than a slave with low self-esteem. It shows Finn as a man of his own words and his mature side. Also, it gives readers a chance to break the stereotypical idea of a slave with no confidence, weak, or sly: but a man with best wishes to help his friends. Plus, Twain bolded the words “will” and “know” to emphasize the characteristics of determination in his words to show trust and honesty. “If I’ll tell you how I know the niggers will see each other again inside of two weeks - - here in this house - - and PROVE how I know - - it will you go to Mr.Lothrop’s and stay four days?”, this sentence reflects Finn’s creativity and his smartness. When Finn saw Jane crying once again, he had realized that she was crying because of the slave family that had been separated. Unlike other English royals, Jane was very attached to the slaves and she believed that slaves had equal rights as a human too, so when she heard that the family was separated it broke her heart. So while Finn was confronting and ideas just came up to his head and he said the quote above. It is incredible how Finn can come up with a plan in a blink an eye with so much detail and fundamentals. Having adroit thought and solving a problem is indeed a unique characteristic of a slave – Finn. Not to mention, Finn had never received any education, but he came up with a plan to help the family which reflects smartness and humanism.
In conclusion, The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is one of the best books for an American Classic since it consists of historical backgrounds, universality, and timelessness. Also Chapter 27, 28 is one of the best chapters that highlight Finn’s various characteristic to capture the audience.