Huckleberry Finn Character Analysis

Intro: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain, ostensibly tells the adventures of young Huckleberry Finn during the antebellum period in the South. However, the novel is a satire, and a vehicle for Twain to ridicule human vice, folly, slavery, and religion. The iconic banned book explores the character Huck’s growth as a person through his friendship with a runaway slave, Jim. In the opening of the scene in Chapter 16, Huck morally regresses when he feels that he is obligated to tell on Jim for Miss Watson’s sake; however, after hearing Jim thank him for keeping his word because of their strong friendship, Huck morally progresses and understands the nature of his relationship by defending Jim.

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In the beginning

Jim blesses and thanks Huck for keeping his promise and telling him that he is the best friend he has ever had which causes Huck to morally evolve. Right after Jim’s heartfelt speech, Huck questions his former choice and concludes, “...but when he says this it seemed to kind of take the tuck all out of me.” Earlier in the scene Huck had become euphoric when he had made his decision, now that he is questioning that choice the quote demonstrates how deflated Huck feels about his new change of thought. The alliteration of the phrase with the stress on the “t” sound illuminates the idea that he needs to rethink his choice. In this moment, Huck reveals advancement and growth in his moral thoughts. Jim’s extremely positive perspective towards Huck reminds him of their friendship, which he seemed to have forgotten to factor into his prior decision whether to tell on him or not. This new ethical development proves how Huck not only considers what he thinks, but what others think. Huck also uses a metaphor to compare himself to having the courage of a rabbit when he says, “...but I warn’t man enough- hadn’t the spunk of a rabbit. I see I was weakening.” By comparing himself to a timid rabbit, Huck is illustrating his belief that his choice of protecting Jim was not courageous. This comparison confirms

But as Jim’s freedom becomes a close reality, Huck morally regresses when he remembers his indoctrination that slaves are inferior beings and guilt hits him, so he decides to turn Jim in. When Jim expresses his eternal gratefulness to Huck for keeping his promise and helping him get to the free state, Huck changes mind and lies to the white men on rafts to protect Jim. After saving Jim, Huck reproaches himself for doing the “wrong” thing, but the reader is aware that Huck has done the right thing.Twain’s story of Huck and jim’s journey down the Mississippi River is a physical and metaphorical journey that not only portrays a story of adventure, but also depicts a subtext of Huck’s growth as a person. In spite of his poor southern upbringing, Huck changes and develops as a character. Just as a river eddies depending on the unpredictable weather, Huck vacillates and flows depending on the circumstances he