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Huckleberry Finn Lies Analysis

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The Cycle of Lies
In an attempt to comprehend the complex world of American politics, historian Arthur Schlesinger proposed the Cyclical Theory, which stated that the attitudes of the American public towards certain issues fluctuate over time, in a cyclic manner. These observations are mirrored in the attitudes of the characters in Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The novel is the companion to the American classic, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Continuing the story after two young boys, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn discover hidden treasure in a cave, the novel starts off when Huck is adopted by Miss Watson and is trying to learn to be civilized. Miss Watson teaches him many skills that society has deemed to be important, …show more content…

He uses the development of Huck’s character over time to mirror the issue of racism by presenting it in a circuitous manner and thus concluding the characters’ moral journey to escape the pressures put …show more content…

Towards the end of the book, after a complex scheme put together by Tom Sawyer, Huck “[returns] to anonymity.” The ending in this regard mirrors society’s arguments about racism because even after changes happen, problems are still occurring with the same issues that were problematic even after decades have passed. In the end, Huck’s character development comes full circle as does society’s stance towards racism. He returns to his previous simple life after his short moment in the spotlight. At one point, Huck needed to apologize succeeding an argument with Jim and he stated that “It was fifteen minutes before [he] could work myself up to go and humble [himself] to a nigger; but [he did] it, and [wasn’t] ever sorry for it afterwards, neither.” In the beginning Huck is hesitant about apologizing to Jim due to his race but he slowly realizes that Jim isn’t any less of a person despite their racial differences. In the end, Huck develops a bond with Jim, slowly growing to understand why his previous approach to racism is problematic. His shift in view is evident in the ending of the novel as he goes out of his way to ensure Jim’s freedom. As simulated by Huck’s views shifting, often times issues come into light in the public eye and as the general public gains information on the issue, their viewpoints begin to shift. Jim is on what is referred to as a

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Juxtaposition In Huckleberry Finn

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The dramatic situations Huck and Jim share create trust, which strengthens their relationship despite society's view on black people. The juxtaposition of society and Hucks morals are put to test during the scene when Jim and Huck get separated due to fog. Huck believes it is a good idea to lie to Jim and tell him that's it was all a dream. Jim becomes angry at Huck, not for lying, but for not understanding the consequences of his actions. Huck was truly remorseful, and against society, he was willing to apologize to Jim, even though he was a black man.

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Huckleberry Finn People Lie Analysis

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In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, you see how much people lie. People lie to protect others or for selfish reasons is a recurring theme shown through Huck, the Duke and the Dauphin and Tom Sawyer. Huck lied to protect himself and Jim throughout their journey. Right from the beginning of the book, Huck was lying.

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Comparing Huckleberry Finn And Holden Caulfield

1660 Words | 7 Pages

Society has engraved in Huck that helping a colored person is an awful sin, however Huck thinks of Jim as a friend, and would be feel terrible if he turned Jim in. Huck begins to get overwhelmed on whether to betray Jim, and must choose whether to follow the restrictions of society or to follow his own heart. Huck finally deals with his struggles, and chooses what he feels is the moral thing to do. First, to escape society’s standards, Huck runs to nature. The peacefulness of nature is what Huck wanted the entire time, he finally has freedom, comfort, and most importantly, his free will.

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How Should Huckleberry Finn Be Censored

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This book proves that not everyone who grew up around racism was cruel, as Huck began to love Jim for who he is, despite the society he grew up in. An example of Huck maturing could come from chapter forty, "I knowed he was white inside, and I reckoned he'd say what he did say - so it was all right, now, and I told Tom I was agoing for a doctor." (Twain 301). This quote clearly shows that Huck is maturing, and seeing past the color of Jim's skin. The book shows us how hard it was to grow up in a racist society and not be racist.

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The novel contrasts Huck’s and Jim’s different forms of enslavement, and Lester believes that by doing that it “obscures the fact that, by definition, slavery was a horror”(342). Later in the novel we can see Jim and Huck start growing appreciation for each other on the raft. It is true we cannot deny Huck’s growing appreciation and love for Jim, but first we must acknowledge that Huck’s love for Jim does not mean Huck is not racist. An example of Huck’s racism is the scene in the book where they miss Cairo because of the fog, but Huck lies to Jim and tells him he has been there the whole time. Then, Jim gets really sad, and Huck feels bad about about lying to him and says, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither.

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The Things They Carried is an excellent story by Tim O'Brien. What is most interesting about this book is that it reads like a collections of stories told by the people who are involved. Sometimes the author acts as a narrator, and sometimes he is a direct character in the novel. The story is one of deep emotion and symbolism. I will discuss the three most important themes in the book.

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884 Words | 4 Pages

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Huck defies the societal hierarchy, beginning to see Jim as an equal. He not only apologizes to a black person, but he also tries to help thieves and potential murderers, showing that he is looking beyond social categories. After saving himself from the sinking boat where a group of criminals are trapped, “ [Huck] begun to worry about the men—I reckon I hadn’t had time to before. I begun

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1270 Words | 6 Pages

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738 Words | 3 Pages

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1767 Words | 8 Pages

As Twain illustrates, “One of these fellows was about seventy… (Twain 91). Throughout the novel, there is a repeating theme of lying happening. It becomes part of the lives of the characters and through the situations they encounter prove that lying isn’t always wrong. Throughout the entire novel of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the theme of lying is an essential form of survival for the characters.

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1359 Words | 6 Pages

He says to himself, “What did that poor old woman do to you that you could treat her so mean (94)?” This inner conflict consumes Huck all throughout the adventure and Huck’s decision is very hard for him to make. In fact, Twain had to put a halt on the writing of the novel in order to deeply consider the implications of Huck’s choice. Twain knew the huge consequences that Huck’s choice would have no matter which way he went. If Huck turns Jim in, the reader sees him as an evil racist, but the society would praise him for his actions.

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