The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Conflict With Social Authority
"It was according to the old saying, 'give a [African-American] an inch and he'll take an ell.'...Here was this [African-American] which I had as good as helped to run away, coming right out flat-footed and saying he would steal his children - children that belonged to a man I didn't even know; a man that hadn't ever done me no harm"(98)
Despite the fact, Huckleberry Finn (Huck) is preteen boy; one cannot help but realize the hypocrisy in this statement that he said to himself. It is hypocritical because what he is accusing Jim (the "African-American") of (stealing children from somebody he didn't even know) is the exact same thing slave owners did when they brought slaves from Africa. Huck preaches things he does not except for himself many times. Huck, later on, he has an internal conflict about the question of turning his "friend", Jim, in.
The cover of the first edition of Adventures of Hu...
Illustration of Jim and Huckleberry Finn, by EW Ke...
mark twain Category:Mark Twain imagesHuck also has various discrepancies with authority, which includes Miss Watson, Pap, and social values of the 1800's in general. Through The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the character of Huck, Mark Twain question humans and their relationship with social authority and the hypocrisy in their actions.
Huck has a "desire" to turn in Jim a few times. While one the way to Cairo, Huck takes the canoe by himself to talk to the "police" boat that patrols the area. He plans to turn in Jim, but Jim keeps on saying how much Huck means to him. Huck says, "I was paddling off, all in a sweat to tell on him; but when he says this, it seemed kind of take the tuck all out of me...I warn't right down certain whether I was glad I started or whether I warn't."(99) The last...
Huckleberry Fin
You have written a good essay on Mark Twain's popular novel. Huckleberry Fin is not just a children's book and I liked how you explored how Twain's work questions humans and their relationship with social authority. I agree with you that one reason people may resent authority is related to unfamiliarity with the need for it. It is only human nature to fear what we dont't understand. You are also right that this has broader implications. Prejudice is often based on unfamiliarity. It's ironic that Twain may have been trying to make a point about tolerance when he is often criticized for some of the language he used in his books in order to add a touch of realism. Nicely done!
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