Road To Maturity in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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Huckleberry Finn – The Road To Maturity

Growing up is a long and hard process we must all go through in life. Everyone grows and matures mentally and physically at their own individual rates, and although the line between being a child and being an adult is rather indistinct, there are certain qualities and attitudes that all mature adults possess. Attaining these qualities and ideals can only be done through life experiences and learning by trial and error. No one can grow up overnight; it is impossible. But as our prospective on life and the world around change, growing up is inevitable. In the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the main character Huckleberry Finn begins the long process of growing up, and he starts to develop a more mature outlook on life.

One of the early examples of Huck still having quite a bit of growing up to do is shown in the book when Huck finds that Jim has run away and is hiding on the same island Huck is. Huck asks Jim how he got there, and at first Jim isn't going to tell Huck. But when Huck promises not to tell a soul, Jim confides in him that he has run off. Huck is shocked by this bit of information, and Jim reminds him that he promised not to tell. Huck responds by saying, "I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest Injun, I will. People will call me a low down abolishonist and despise me for keeping mum- but that don't make no difference. I ain't a going to tell." Huck is beginning to realize the importance of keeping ones word. Young children run and tell things that happen to anyone with ears, and it is hard for them to keep promises. He realizes that the things he says affect others, and the fact he is now capable of understanding that shows that Huck is beginning to have a more mature view on life.

Another key factor in growing up is being able to take the blame for one's own actions and being able to come clean and apologize when you have done something wrong. In the beginning of the book, Huck has a lot of issues with confessing his own actions.

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