America in the 1800’s was subjected to widespread racial discrimination and constant struggle for freedom. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written shortly after the period of social injustice and eviction of slavery in order to reflect on the miserable conditions of the time, particularly in the southern slave states. The oppressed community desperately longed for their freedom from the shackles of society. Freedom and adventure are major themes expressed in the novel through the characters of Huck and Jim who actually represent the oppressed mass of the slave era. Through The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain reflects his pessimistic view of American society and government during the era of slavery.
The Blacks were deprived of almost everything during the slave era, including their rights and freedom. The purpose of their very existence, it seemed, was only to serve their masters. Thus, the quest for freedom for the Blacks had somehow become near impossible. According to Strozykowski (2008), black men were not even allowed to vote until the year 1870, and women were given the right to vote only after 1920. Even in Twain’s novel, Pap is depicted loathing
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Both of them travel down the Mississippi river in search of their freedom. Even towards the end of the novel, Huck still despises the American society, he doesn’t want to go back to being civilized; he would rather have his freedom. Huck’s fear of being trapped in the unfair society is apparent in the lines “but I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before (Twain, Chapter 43). Twain reveals the desire of the subjugated people, both Whites and Blacks in wanting to live freely and wholly, in the absence of an racist and socially instable