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Ptsd In Huckleberry Finn Essay

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by seeing or experiencing a terrifying event. PTSD isn’t as uncommon as many people think, there are over 5.5 million cases of PTSD reported in children and teenagers each year. Which is why it’s found in several books and movies, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The author, Mark Twain uses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to shape Huck’s character.
7-8% of the population has suffered from PTSD at some point in their life. It is more common in women, as 10% of females have experienced PTSD versus 4% of males. It can be caused by neglect, abuse, assault of any kind (ex: sexual assault, emotional assault, etc) seeing a death or war, and several other experiences that can damage someone mentally. Several of these causes apply to Huckleberry Finn, which makes him an appropriate example of the mental illness. Things that can trigger Huck’s PTSD include, seeing dead bodies, seeing …show more content…

Often times, people with PTSD seem to hide from the world, almost as if they don’t want to be seen. Huck seems to be the opposite. He seems to be passionate about adventure. He wants to live in the wild without rules and civilization. However, Huck wants to escape society. Huck wants to disconnect from the world in a different way from others that struggle with PTSD. While he is interested in exploring nature and going places, Huck is also removing himself from a civilisation. Huck tolerates school, sleeping on a mattress, going to church and being a productive citizen. Deep down, Huck wants to be on his own- or at least without others telling him what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. In a few occasions, Huck isn’t alone. He was in a band of robbers and he ran away from Pap with Jim. I believe this is because Huck is comfortable with his friends. Those with PTSD can suffer from antisocial behavior. Huck’s desire to live out in the wilderness and be on his own is his way of being

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