Starting in Minnesota and ending in the gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi river is a vastly popular and symbolic body of water, that has been used by many artists and writers. One of which is Mark Twain’s, Huckleberry Finn. Twain presents the river as a symbol of freedom and adventure that Huck, the main character, uses to escape the society, but he finds it lonely sometimes. Throughout the novel Huck is given the decision of, going to the warmth and safety of civilization, or choosing to run away down the Mississippi for freedom and adventure. Huck and Jim both see the Mississippi as an escape from the strict rules and enslavement of civilization. Huck first goes the the river in towards the beginning of the book to escape his father’s beatings, “I says to myself, I can fix it now so nobody won't think of following me” (Twain Twain 24). With this he devises a plan to leave the cabin that his dad has trapped him in. Soon Huck finds a way to escape to the Mississippi and travel to freedom. Jim …show more content…
Civilization cages Huck in, “[Widow Douglas] would civilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time”(1). While the Widow keeps Huck safe, she also prevents him from being free. The civilized life is not the best for Huck, because he wants to do what he likes whenever he can. While society takes away some freedom, it provides knowledge for Huck, “[I] could spell, and read, and write just a little”(11). Huck learns in school and comes to enjoy it. The society is giving Huck all he needs to survive and grow as a civilized person. Society also give safety, “Living in a house, and sleeping in bed”(11). Huck has a home and a bed when he is living with Widow Douglas. This pulls at him but he eventually gives in and starts to like it for the little time he has with the widow. While the river has freedom and adventure, it can not give Huck everything that society