The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Themes

Racism & Slavery

• written after Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery, but time period of story set during slavery

• during Reconstruction, a less institutionalized form of slavery existed in the South (Jim Crow laws)

• allegorical portrayal of conditions of “blacks” in U.S. after end of slavery

• hypocrisy of “civilized” society which values morality, but condones slavery

• Examples:

Hypocrisy of “Civilized” Society

• society’s laws (Miss Watson and Widow Douglas) vs. higher moral values (Huck and Jim)

• rules and precepts that reflect faulty logic• civilized vs. natural• a “just” society that condones slavery• unsteady justice is blinded by cowardice, prejudice,

and a lack of common sense• seemingly good and characters are slave-owners• Examples:

Freedom

• importance of individual thinking and ideas

• escaping an illogical and oppressive society

• Mississippi River as a safe haven

• slavery vs. liberty

• outcasts labeled by citizens (mob mentality) are arguably the only truly free characters

• Examples:

Maturation and Development

• a significant factor in Huck’s moral education is his youth

• being open-minded is a quality that Huck represents, as a child, which allows for his development and maturation

• Huck’s relationship with Jim assists his progression throughout the novel

• Huck’s experiences and apprehension about society help lead to his maturity

Symbols• The Mississippi River

• a source of freedom; a safe haven

• Raft

• tool for escape

• Money

• separates the civilized from the “outcasts”

Terms to know:

• Emancipation Proclamation

• Reconstruction• Jim Crow Laws• allegory• superstition• precept• mob mentality• bildungsroman

• hypocrisy• satire• irony• dialect• parody