Delirium Tremens When a heavy drinker begins to detox from alcohol, they may experience signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as delirium tremens. Delirium tremens occurs later in the process of alcohol withdrawal. The hallucinations and agitations associated with delirium tremens makes it a notable symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Mark Twain incorporates delirium tremens and the effects of alcohol in his famous novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Although the description of delirium tremens in the novel is contrary to modern medical information, delirium tremens and alcohol plays an important role in the novel. Pap Finn is an abusive, alcoholic father who experience an episode of delirium tremens. “After supper pap took …show more content…
One character who was a drunk similar to Huck’s father was Boggs. Boggs was a raging alcoholic, similar to Pap, who Huck encountered on his journey down the Mississippi River. Boggs notices Huck and says to him, “Whar’d you come f’m, boy? You prepared to die?” (Twain and Kazin 141). After this situation, Huck becomes scared. Huck’s fear is understandable because the last angry drunk who made death threats towards him was his abusive father. A man notices frightened Huck and says to him, “He don’t mean nothing: he’s always a-carryin’ on like that when he’s drunk. He’s the best naturedest old fool in Arkansaw—never hurt nobody, drunk nor sober.” (Twain and Kazin 141). This man’s quote helps Huck distinguish between a drunk who intentionally tries to hurt someone like his father, and a drunk who just makes meaningless threats (Shmoop Editorial Team). Boggs and Pap not only shared an alcohol habit, but they also shared a similar cause of death. Both men were shot after a spell of drinking. Mark Twain could be showing that alcohol will lead the drinker to their death eventually. Other character’s use of alcohol and their actions allow Huck to determine his own opinion regarding