The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain - 1711 Words

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain we learn about a young boy named Huck Finn and his friend, a slave named Jim, and the adventure they embark on together. The entire book is written in first person dialect and is regarded as one of the most influential fictional writings in American literature. With its popularity comes much scrutiny as well, many feel that the book has a racist element due to the cruel language used throughout. The word â€Å"nigger† is used over 200 times leading to â€Å"skepticisms and disapproval from whites and, decades later, even harsher criticism from African Americans† (Fikes, 240). Mark Twain demonstrates throughout the book that people s morals and standards in society during that time period†¦show more content†¦When Huck embarks on his journey to help free Jim, he is aware of the social constraints around him, however he sometimes battled with the idea of turning his friend in, but ultimately wants to do the morally right thing. â€Å"A traditional interpretation of the moral conflicts experienced by Huckleberry Finn is that they arise from a clash between conscience and sympathetic feeling† (Shinkel, 511). I believe that because Huck was not easily influenced by society, it enabled him to develop a strong relationship and connection with Jim. Huck was brought up in a different manner than the stereotypical ways of the society around him and eventually chooses his individuality over everyone else’s expectations. Throughout the novel Huck does what he feels is right, regardless of what the popular choice would be. Although he doesn’t realize it, his own instincts are more of a moral compass than the beliefs of the society he lives in. The language used in the book could be criticized for its crudeness, but that’s not what keeps the reader engaged. It’s the excitement and unpredictability of the plot, and the heart felt story telling that keeps us reading. The dialect used in the book was accurate in portraying the people and culture of that time period, however the frank language and inclusion of the word â€Å"nigger† has led some to conclude that the book