Summary Of A Man Vs Society In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel to Twain’s original novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The novel picks up shortly after the events in its predecessor. Huck Finn, a in his own words “low-down and ornery,” (Twain) boy has been living with Miss Watson and the Widow Douglass and receiving a weekly stipend of his money from the local Judge. He despises the civilized lifestyle being forced upon him, but is fine with being there, so long as Pap, his abusive father, is kept away. Shortly after the novel begins, Huck becomes paranoid over the possibility of his father returning for him. Fear drives him to seek guidance from Jim, a slave owned by Miss Watson, who he believes can contact spirits based upon local lore. Unfortunately

Petersburg to regain legal custody of Huck in order to take his money.

Protagonist: Huck Finn What s/he wants: Huck wants to escape society and live an “uncivilized,” life where he can do as he pleases.

Basic Conflict (describe the situation, tell type and category): The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is very much a Man vs Society and internal conflict. Huck Finn struggles with his own morals and their contradictions with what society has taught him. He personally sees all people as equals, due to his untraditional upbringing. While others see Jim as lesser than them due to the pigment of his skin, Huck views him as good based completely off of his actions. Also, Huck resents the “civilized,” nature of society. He feels oppressed prior to being kidnapped, and fears feeling that way again at the end of the novel.

Complications/Rising Action: (especially list things that cause suspense or offer foreshadowing)

• Huck becomes paranoid about his father returning, going to Jim to hear a prophecy on rather or not is suspicions would become a

• Huck is kidnapped by Pap and taken to a cabin in the woods. In a rater elaborate plan, he escapes and begins a life on an island down the river, where he comes across Jim.

• Huck and Jim live together on the island, having a few adventures of their own. In an attempt to be adventurous, they go on a sinking steamboat to confront the murderers on board. After successfully escaping, Huck seeks knowledge on what events have transpired in his absence. He dresses as a girl and meets Mrs. Judith Loftus, who informs him that he is presumed dead and Jim is missing.

• Huck and Jim head up the river towards Cairo, where they will move the raft onto the Ohio River and head north. Unfortunately, a thick fog forms over the river and they miss the mouth of the river. They continue south down the river and are confronted by men hunting slaves who have escaped. Here is one of the first times Huck really thinks about helping Jim as a moral issue, since he is given the opportunity to turn him in.

• A steamboat crashes into the raft, leading to Jim and Huck becoming separated. Huck ends up with the Grangerford family and after their massacre, Huck finds Jim on the repaired raft and they continue on their