The Value Of Freedom In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn shows the human potential for nobility in its main characters so well that it couldn’t support slavery. Huckleberry Finn, along with Jim, the runaway slave who accompanies him, are unknowing advocates for selflessness, humility, and mercy. The story’s adventure and the noble characters it features celebrate freedom from economic and social restraints. It is clear from the start that Twain believed that everyone deserves their freedom.

Twain’s tale may seem like a story of a boy’s adventure, but the desire to have an adventure is a symbol. Huck is also running from his social restrictions. Huck is restricted by his “civilised” lifestyle, while Jim feels bound by his slave-like status. Huck can’t indulge in the pleasures of his boyhood at Widow Douglas. The social expectations and rules the two widows try impose on Huck make him feel trapped. Jim is forced to live in a confined and uncomfortable place within society due to the bonds of his slavery. This prevents him being with his family. Two “prisoners” then begin to flee for their freedom. Twain set the story in front of the Mississippi River because it was where he lived for a time. But the river also serves as a symbol. Huck & Jim, as they cruise down the flowing rivers feel removed from the stagnant societies on its banks. They are free of the human shortcomings and vices that they had experienced in their man-made cities. Racism or greed are not practical on a raft. The slave and boy are just two travelers on their way to better and bigger waters.

Twain has a good deal of success in illustrating the support he gives to the deserved human freedom through his characters. Huck, a young innocent boy, relies on his sharp criticism of the human condition and an unknowing goodness and gentleness. Huck’s youth and ignorance allow him to have the innocence and believable character that he is. He is able to see through the hypocrisy of adults, even though he’s young. He can’t comprehend, for example, why the Grangerfords are involved in such a ridiculous and terrible feud. Huck’s misguided conscience argues that he should show Jim respect and mercy when he joins the journey. Huck’s humility was evident in his decision to show respect to a black slave. He was not interested in material things or money. The novel is unmistakable in its depiction of Jim’s goodness and good will. He is always willing to watch over Huck and his journey, often at his expense. Jim’s selfless, kind and loving nature is admired by the reader. These characteristics, such as kindness, innocence, and humility, do not support slavery.

Twain is also a master of verbal and situational irony, which he uses to expose truths about the human condition. Twain uses some dialogues that are so blatantly racially charged that it is hard to believe that the author was just trying to make a point. Aunt Sally, for example, asks Huck about the safety of the steamboat. Huck replies that only one person was injured. Aunt Sally then replies “Well, I guess it’s a good thing, because people can get hurt sometimes.” Twain seems to be pointing out that this statement is wrong, not advocating racism, but rather demonstrating its incorrectness. Irony is used throughout the dialogue of the novel. While anti-slavery advocates may misunderstand Twain, other elements help to support his true intentions. The author believes that racist views can be easily seen as hypocritical when expressed in plain language. Twain is a man who values the best qualities of humanity. The racists, and the advocates of slavery, are always painted in a bad way. Twain treats the Duke and the King, who broke up the slaves’ family at Wilks, with little respect, as does the mob at Phelps, which is made up of angry farm workers who want Jim killed. Twain is a champion of human freedom because he openly criticizes slavery, its supporters, and racial bias.

Twain illustrates his belief in human freedom by pointing out the attributes of his characters and their quest for freedom. He also criticizes the racial viewpoints of Huck’s and Jim’s society. Twain may not have called himself an “abolitionist” but he did state in Huckleberry Finn his belief that slavery is a violation of morality. Twain makes use of the contrast between Huck and Jim’s goodness to fight slavery. Twain is not a fan of the hypocrisy and constraints that society imposes. Like Huck, he would much rather be free. As a result, it seems unlikely that he supported slavery when its roots were so aristocratic. Twain is not a slave supporter. His characters and views on white society are too noble.