One of the major conflicts of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is individual versus society. Huck was not raised like a typical child in society would be at that time. He adapts himself to this way of life and is completely self-sufficient while growing up. Several times in the novel, Huck chooses to follow his heart instead of what society tells him is right. Also, from the very beginning, Huck decides that he will not conform to society.
The corruption of society becomes evident when Pap returns for Huck. He would like to gain full custody over Huck. The judge decides to send him back with his father. Huck is now forced to listen to an all around awful man. He is an alcoholic and is extremely abusive. After Huck's desperate escape plan of making himself look dead, society is so preoccupied with finding his corps that they do not have time to miss him.
The cover of the first edition of Adventures of Hu...
Illustration of Jim and Huckleberry Finn, by EW Ke...
mark twain Category:Mark Twain imagesWhat kind of society is one that is more concerned with finding a dead body than the welfare of living people? The theme and Huck's morals become more obvious once him and Jim set out together. Even though he has to find food every night and he only has one person to talk to, Huck enjoys his adventures on the raft. He would rather be free and in the wilderness than to be confined by society. Huck sticks to his oath of being a rebel by going against society and accepts Jim. He does consider that what he is doing might be considered a sin. He does not realize that his own instincts are more morally correct than those of society.
In chapter sixteen, the reader sees one of the most important parts of the entire novel. In this chapter, Huck comes across a...