Aventures d'Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

For example, in the first chapter, the Widow Douglas feeds Huck, and later on Jim becomes his symbolic caretaker, feeding and watching over him on Jackson's Island. In Huck's childhood, he often fights pigs for food, and eats out of 'a barrel of odds and ends.' Thus, providing Huck with food becomes a symbol of people caring for and protecting him. Foodįood plays a prominent role in the novel. Thus, the concept of honor and acting to earn it becomes a central theme in Huck's adventures.

They resolve to steal Jim, freeing him from the bonds of slavery, which is an honorable act. Tom's original robber band is paralleled later in the novel when Tom and Huck become true thieves, but honorable ones, at the end of the novel. Robbery appears throughout the novel, specifically when Huck and Jim encounter robbers on the shipwrecked boat and are forced to put up with the King and Dauphin, both of whom 'rob' everyone they meet. The theme of honor permeates the novel after first being introduced in the second chapter, where Tom Sawyer expresses his belief that there is a great deal of honor associated with thieving. Drawing on the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Twain suggests that civilization corrupts, rather than improves, human beings. Throughout the novel, Twain seems to suggest that the uncivilized way of life is more desirable and morally superior.

This conflict is introduced in the first chapter through the efforts of the Widow Douglas: she tries to force Huck to wear new clothes, give up smoking, and learn the Bible. He was raised without any rules or discipline and has a strong resistance to anything that might 'sivilize' him. The primary theme of the novel is the conflict between civilization and 'natural life.' Huck represents natural life through his freedom of spirit, uncivilized ways, and desire to escape from civilization. Buy Study Guide Conflict between civilization and 'natural life'

Aventures d'Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain