When we were first assigned to read the Adventures of Huck Finn, I was not very interested in doing it. As I read the story I found myself wondering what happens next as well as where Huck would end up. I was constantly playing out alternate endings and searching for clues as to what came next. Twain was very good at keeping me guessing. In the end I enjoyed reading the book, but wish there would have been more of an ending. Although, I understand that with out an open ending the reader wouldn’t be interested in a sequel.
The story itself was a wonderful reflection on America. There were so many elements of our great country portrayed in the novel. The following are just a few examples…
Independence
• Huck fought to be on his own in the wilderness, taking care of himself
• Tom always had to be the leader, the independent one
Freedom
• Jim fought to be free all through out the story
• Huck and Tom dreamt of being free from societal demands and pressure
Class System
• The class system was displayed all through out the story
o Pap being an alcoholic who abused his kid and stole
o Tom’s family was well off because they all worked hard and chipped in
o The doctor and lawyer using their connections to catch the duke and king
o Huck doesn’t want to be educated or civilized because it goes against the way he was raised, which ultimately keeps him down in class rank
Slavery
• Jim and other slaves were mistreated on several occasions through out the story
• The slaves in this story were bought and sold in several chapters
• Jim has to hide almost everyday or he will be captured and possibly killed
o He cant go into any of the cities and experience what Huck is
• The simple fact that Jim was once a slave causes a lot of trouble
Religion
• Tom and Huck reject following any sort of religion
• Jim seems to follow a Christian religion of some sort on several occasions he mentions praise the lord or oh help me Jesus
• The civilized families in the novel all seemed to follow some sort of religion and lived their lives by it
• The widow and her sister try to force religion on Huck in the beginning and Aunt Polly tries in the end
The entire story line focuses on the optimism that comes along with chasing the American dream. Huck is looking towards his future while Jim is planning his through out their whole adventure. Jim wants to be a free man, get a job and pay for his family’s freedom. Huck wants to be a free man so to speak as well he wants to live free of the rules and religion that bound civilized society. I learned a lot reading this novel.
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I felt the same way about the feeling of wonder with Huck on his adventure. The American dream is a very big point emphasized in this novel. Huck going out and using his freedom to explore and expand his knowledge of the different areas surrounding him definitely fits into the thought and ideas supporting the American dream and the wanting to explore and expand. I liked how you put all of your thoughts and ideas expressed in bullets and explained them. It was very easy to follow and understand. The points about the religion in this novel also got my attention. For as much as religion is pushed around Huck in his household he doesn’t use these teachings and ideas outside of his household when he has to act interested. I think your summary was very intriguing and had a lot of good insight and seems like you got a lot out of the novel.
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