Float On Huckleberry Finn Analysis

Though Adventures of Huckleberry Finn offers a glimpse into the past of the Southern United States, the sentiments of the U.S. South are not related in the books message. Huckleberry Finn’s “Float On” by Modest Mouse functions best as an anthem for Huckleberry Finn because it exudes an exemplification of an anti hero, and presents a seemingly accidental or subconscious message of inclusion. Similar to Mark Twain’s representation of Huck in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock submits the singer of “Float On” as an anti-hero, connecting his story and message to Huck Finn. “Float On” can serve as an anthem for Huck Finn because of their similar situations and outlook on ideas counter to popular societal opinion. Brock also includes a message of inclusivity throughout the song; like Twain with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Brock does not outright state a bold claim

As Huck describes his ideal method of cooking, he provides a metaphor for his outlook on racial discrimination, stating, “In a barrel of odds and ends it is different; things get mixed up, and the juice kind of swaps around, and the things go better” (Twain 10). Rather than outright stating his unpopular opinion in a racist Southern United States, Huck uses this metaphor to subtly suggest his viewpoints on race in a less incendiary and divisive manner. The chorus of Modest Mouse’s “Float On” is primarily composed of the phrase “we’ll all float on.” Brock uses the inclusionary we despite the fact that his song uses a single narrator. By using “we” rather than I, Brock creates a sense of unfettered inclusion of all people into his song. Like Huck Finn, Brock avoids emboldened and divisive statements about race, but is still able to incorporate his message of acceptance through his word choice in the songs