Lauren LaMonica
English 10A
Huck Finn Essay
March 14, 2012
Escaping "Sivilization"
Mark Twain, the author of the novel Huckleberry Finn, expressed, "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." In a civilized society, human beings exert unnecessary limitations against one another. People oppress, dictate, and create laws that make it difficult to think independently and creatively. Huckleberry Finn, the main character, lives in a society that views the laws of "sivilization" as something that cannot be neglected or questioned. Despite the fact that some compulsory laws, such as those favoring slavery, restrain and oppress others, people still follow them. Throughout his adventure, Huckleberry Finn seeks to escape "sivilization" and all conformities of society such as religion, education, and the acceptance of slavery. Life away from civilization is appealing because he is able to escape the unnecessary necessities of society and be a free individual, rather than conforming to ways of life that he does not see fit.
Illustration of Jim and Huckleberry Finn, by EW Ke...
mark twain Category:Mark Twain images
Drawing of Huckleberry finn with a rabbit and a gu...Mark Twain, in his novel Huckleberry Finn, makes evident the diversion of Huck and Jim's experiences: restriction, feuds, and oppression on land, and adventure, safety, and freedom on the raft.
In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck and Jim face restriction when they are on land, while life alone on the raft opens them up to adventure. Living in society, Huck proves to be intractable when the constraints of society conflict with his rebellious character. He complains, "The Widow Douglas, she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the timeâ¦Miss Watson would say, 'Don't put your feet up there, Huckleberry,' and 'don't scrunch up like that, Huckleberry-set up straight'" (1188). Huck readily ignores these commands and views the house as an obstruction that...