Symbol- The River Many things can be represented in a free-flowing, fast paced, body of water. As we see in Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn the river represents growth, freedom, and also brings about the problems faced in life by all that live it. Not only is the Mississippi River seen as a landmark and an American tradition but as a route to almost anywhere you want to go. In Huckleberry Finn the two main characters Huck and Jim want to go to a place where they will have freedom and in the 19th century this meant the Ohio River Valley. Growing up on the river Huck meets Jim as well as learning many things from his abusive father which leads him to using the river as his escape which in turn leads them to countless problems as they continue their journey north. …show more content…
As we can see in the book this really shapes Huck into the character he is. In the beginning of the book Huck looks at the river as a place he spent his childhood and learned many life lessons. His father taught him to always pay attention to the spring floods and take the logs that float down the river into town to make money. This helps Huck find the canoe that would help him find freedom for both himself and Jim. But just like any other child that grew up on the river Pap taught Huck to fish for food. As Huck thinks about his father and the spot on the river that he grew up in throughout the book he has a combination of memories, some good others bad, but that is where and how he grew up. Without the knowledge gained from his father Huck wouldn’t have been able to survive his journey