Mark Twain Symbolism In Huck Finn

Growing up kids always hear about The Adventures Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and all they really knew about was that their grandparents or parents loved the book and that for some reason it was controversial. When they got older they learned about how the racial standpoints in book made it so controversial but also what made it such a great book and that the theme of racism is still as relevant in our current time as it was when Twain wrote the book. Then after reading How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster many more things jump out at them while reading the novel. The use of setting and symbolism in the novel also helps make it such a fantastic piece of literature. Huck Finn is an iconic book that deserves to be as

famous as it is.
Setting is one of the most important aspects in a book; it sets the scene and it can allude to future events. An interesting foreshadowing in Huck Finn is when Twain was describing the outside he talks about how Pa’s footprints were in the snow. Now this a great foreshadowing for Pa’s character, as Foster said in his novel “ Winter with old age and resentment and death.(186)” So to elaborate a little on that basically Foster is saying that winter time usually has to do with resentment and death which both connect to Pa. When Huck found the footprints foreshadows his father return “There was an inch of new snow on the ground, and I seen somebody's tracks. (180) ” It could also be alluding to the way Huck feels about his dad, the resentment he has for him being a drunk, only caring about getting more money to feed his addiction, and being abusive. It so unique how Twain used the snow to foreshadow Pa’s death. The use of setting in such a indepth way is way that Huck Finn is a great piece of the literature.
One of the most prominent symbols in Huck Finn is Missippi River.

The river symbolizes multiple things in the novel. It symbolizes the journey that Huck and Jim are on and how the further south they get the harder it becomes. That particular symbolization is mentioned by Foster specifically; “It matters when they reach Cairo and the Ohio empties into the big river; it matters when they reach the Deep South, because Jim is running away in the worst possible direction. The great threat to a slave was that he might be sold down the river, where things got progressively worse south you went, and he’s floating straight into the teeth of the monster. (173)” The further south they traveled down the river the worse their luck gets, so worse that Jim ends up getting put back into slavery. Another thing the River symbolizes is an area of peace for Huck and Jim, they are both finally in place where they both can free and don’t need to worry about anyone for once in their lives. “So in two seconds away we went a-sliding down the river, and it did seem so good to be free again and all by ourselves on the big river, and nobody to bother us. (186)” The use of the symbolism in the novel is truly a reason why this is such a great piece of literature. Twain's use of the River to multitask many different symbols makes it the standard for River symbolism and he uses it to paint an even stronger setting that is truly connect to the plot of the story. Mark Twain's use of symbolism is a reason a that Huck Finn a great piece of

literature.
Racial issues are probably one the most mentioned things throughout history, from all the way during the revolution to our current times. Huck Finn definitely was challenging the racial norms of its time, becoming one of the most controversial book. In a time when in the South black people and white people were not close at all. A reason people protested the novel was the fact that Huck and Jim would have never been friends since that was so against the social norms of the time period. Knowing this it make sense that Huck is so young when the book is taking place, according to Foster “The real reason for a quest is always self-knowledge. That’s why questers are so often young, inexperienced, immature, sheltered. (3)” So knowing that it does make a lot sense that Huck is so young because he is learning an important message about racial differences. Huck was learning that even though Jim is black he isn't very different, something that was an idea that is completely unheard of in the time period the book is taking place. It is obvious this is the case because in the beginning of the novel Huck is making fun of Jim with his friend Tom sawyer, but by the end of the book Huck thinks about all the memories he has made with Jim and his new found opinion of him: “And got to thinking over our trip down the river; and I see Jim before me, all the time, in the day, and in the night-time, sometimes moonlight, sometimes storms, and we a floating along, talking, and singing, and laughing. But somehow I couldn't seem to strike no places to harden me against him, but only the other kind. (194)” This shows the appreciation Huck has built for Jim in their adventure down the river. It also shows the respect that Huck has built up for Jim over there time together. As stated before it is said to be a highly controversial friendship because in the south this relationship would most likely never happen during this time period. But Huck this young kid who learn to overlook the social stander and appreciate Jim in a way that he never would have if he didn’t go on this adventure. This issue of race is still relevant today in parts of America and this lesson that we are equal no matter what race is still highly relevant make this book a better piece of literature and keeps it message relevant .
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a great novel and How To Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas C. Foster helps prove just how great of a novel it is. The use of Symbolism in Huck Finn is phenomenal and the use of setting to foreshadow makes the novel an even better piece of literature. Throughout the novel it’s constant message of Racial Issues makes it a great read and relevant read even now over a hundred years after it was published. Huckleberry Finn is undeniably stellar piece of literature through and through.