Huckleberry Finn

A detailed Summary of Huckleberry Finn


The conflict between society and the individual is a theme portrayed throughout Twain's Huckleberry Finn, as two friends are on a quest for freedom and an escape from a cruel and oppressive society. Huck was not raised in accord with the accepted ways of civilization. He practically raises himself, relying on instinct to guide him through life. As portrayed several times in the novel, Huck chooses to follow his innate sense of right, yet he does not realize that his own instincts are more moral than those of society.

>From the very beginning of Huck's story, Huck clearly states that he did not want to conform to society; "The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me... I got into my old rags and my sugar hogshead again, and was free and satisfied." When Pap returns for Huck, and the matter of custody is brought before the court, the reader is forced to see the corruption of society. The judge rules that Huck belongs to Pap, and forces


The ending is perhaps most disappointing because it seems as though through all the situations that it seemed he was growing up and accepting his innate ideas of right, he hasn't grown at all. When he is re- united with Tom, he once again thinks of Jim as property. Huck functions as a much nobler person when he is not confined by the hypocrisies of civilization.

The theme becomes even more evident once Huck and Jim set out, down the Mississippi. Huck enjoys his adventures on the raft. He prefers the freedom of the wilderness to the restrictions of society. Also, Huck's acceptance of Jim is a total defiance of society. Ironically, Huck believes he is committing a sin by going against society and protecting Jim. He does not realize that his own instincts are more morally correct than those of society'. In chapter sixteen, we see, perhaps, the most inhumane action of society. Huck meets some men looking for runaway slaves, and so he fabricates a story about his father o

Some common words found in the essay are:
Miss Watson, Ironically Huck, Widow Douglas, Huckleberry Finn, Mississippi Huck, Tom Jim, , society huck, Huck Jim, protecting jim, dead body, own instincts, realize own, huck's acceptance, realize own instincts,

Approximate Word count = 661
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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