Themes

Blog Post #1 - Kelly (pg. 100-150)

Civilization vs. Natural Life

While Huck was living with Pap in the beginning of the novel, one of the biggest themes of the novel was presented: the conflict of civilization and natural life. Huck Finn was raised in a completely uncivilized way being raised without rules or discipline; he represents the natural life through his rebelling, free spirit, and his uncivilized, unconventional ways. The conflict was introduced in the beginning of the novel with the character Widow Douglas as she tries to civilize Huck by giving him new clothes, teaching him manners, quitting smoking, and learning the Bible. On the contrary, Pap is angered by Widow Douglas’ influence of civilization on Huck. He says to him, “"You've put on considerable many frills since I been away. I'll take you down a peg before I get done with you. You're educated, too, they say—can read and write. You think you're better'n your father, now, don't you, because he can't? I'LL take it out of you. Who told you you might meddle with such hifalut'n foolishness, hey?—who told you you could?” (23).

Blog Post #2 - Shei (pg. 150-200)

One must truly rely upon another in work together and reach a fortunate outcome.

Right before Sherburn and Boggs’s confrontation, someone shouts “Go for his daughter... sometimes he’ll listen to her... if anybody can persuade him, she can” (160). Boggs, a drunkard and a fan of confrontation, refuses to listen to anyone and obtains a mind of his own. By calling for his daughter, the townsperson hopes that someone will be able to reason before Boggs’s untimely death. However, Sherburn shot Boggs. This situation reminds me of Huck’s relationship with Pap. If anyone could have saved Pap, it would have been Huck. This proves to show that substance abuse is a killer (literally) and that even those who love someone the most, may not be able to save him or her. Sadly, this outcome was true with Boggs and Pap.

Blog Post #3 - Bethany (pg. 200-250)

Racism and Advocating For Equal Rights

Within this novel, racism is used to set the tone of the time, and the growth of people within the 1800s. Throughout their adventure, Huck and Jim form an inseparable bond that, in its time, could not be found anywhere else between a white boy and black boy. Initially, Huck feels as though Jim is not a person, but soon discovers that he is just like Huck in many ways. He even grows upset when others treat Jim like an object, rather than the person Huck has come to see him as. The only other white person in the novel to advocate for Jim, like Huck does, is Mary. She explains that her recent trip had been ruined as she discovered slaves being torn away from their families. Huck describes her as, “flinging up her hands,” and crying out for the slaves (pg.207).

Blog Post #4 - Kelly (pg. 250-300)

The Hypocrisy of “Civilized” Society

Huck’s hopes heading west to escape more “sivilizing”. Throughout the novel, Huck Finn encounters individuals who, initially, seem like good, genuine people. Of course, the more civilized and proper they appear the more “good” they seem. He realizes that, unlike he had hoped, Aunt Sally was just like the rest of people he faced previously: cruel. Huck says, “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another” (257). The theme of hypocrisy throughout the novel shows the true prejudice of the American society at the time. Unfortunately, it shows that terrible acts go unpunished. The white community is glorified during the time for being cruel, abusive slave owners while African Americans hold the reputation of being immoral and sinful.

Blog Post #5 - Allison (pg. 300-350)

Loved Ones are Worth the Risk

• When loved ones are on the line, people would do anything for them because they truly care for them. For example, if a little girl was hanging from an edge of a cliff, her mother would swoop in to safe her. Moving along, the novel presents their care for each other by risking their life to save that individual. In Huck Finn, the characters run from armed farmers where Tom is shot on his “calf leg” (305) and Jim sacrifices his freedom and the characters search for a doctor to mend Tom. The characters, Jim and Tom both sacrificed themselves for the good off each other. Tom made the executive decision to help Jim on his journey to liberty while Jim abandoned his freedom to save Tom’s life. The relationship the men demonstrate the true meaning of friendship, love, and sacrifice.

People Long for Adventure and Discovery

• Life is supposed to be lively and exciting, right? In this novel, it sums up how life is supposed to be spent. People who want more to living, long for adventure and discovery. Huck and Jim spent their journey on a raft by meeting new people, going through hardships, getting captured, and rediscovering friends. But, once their adventure officially ends, Huck says that the purpose of setting Jim free was for the” adventure” and to wade a “neck-deep in blood”(321)  aka risk his life to reach that goal. He found this experience memorable for putting every ounce of energy into his journey.