In Mark Twain's novel the "Adventures of Huck Finn" the author uses the elements of child narrator and irony to help the reader understand the theme that people sometimes need to go against society to do what they know is right in their hearts.
One important element to understanding the theme is the use of a child narrator. Children often speak from the heart and Huck is no exception. For example, in the novel Huck tricks Jim into thinking that Jim fell asleep and dreamt Huck was lost. In fact Huck really was. Jim had been scared. When he finds out Huck was lying Jim gets mad so Huck apologies. He says " I didn't do him anymore mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd 'a' knowed it would make him feel that way" (86). Clearly, though Huck hesitates, his heart tells him that apologizing is the right thing to do.
Another advantage of having a child narrator is they always believe that people are telling the truth. This helps because it gives the reader a chance to learn from other people's mistakes. Jim and Huck believe that the king and the duke would keep their promises that they both are royalty, which will lead them into trouble. The king says " yes, gentleman, you see before you, in blue jeans and misery, the wanderin', exiled, trampled-on, and sufferin' rightful king of France (124). Obviously the king is lying and it most definably will lead Huck and Jim into trouble later.
Another important element to the understanding of the theme is the use of irony in this book. The irony in this book directly relates back to the thesis, as you will see. For example, in the novel after Jim gets sold, Huck creates a note to...