Prompt-Septemeber 16, 2011

Prompt – September 16, 2011

1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

The Character Huck Finn, In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a complex one.  On the surface of the story the readers see a rebellious young child being mischievous and misbehaved.  However, when we put in the context of the story, we tend to sympathize for Huck.

                Most often societal views determine the definition of right and wrong, so therefore if you are disobeying society it is considered immoral or wrong. That is exactly what Huck does in Huckleberry Finn. This book is about throwing societies views out the window and developing one’s own free style of thinking. Back in the pre civil war era when the story takes place, assisting a runaway slaves was an especially heinous crime.  For Huck to commit this crime at such a young age is almost unthinkable.  But that is not the only way Huck defies society, he also disagrees with the ideals of Christianity. Huck dislikes church and G-d. For many adults in the time period, this risk was much too large. Most did not have the courage to stand up to society and promote their conflicting point of view.

                Throughout Huck’s dangerous journey, he did not remain completely honest. In fact, Huck told a lot of lies. For example, Huck lied and pretended to be a girl in order to gain information and he also lied and said he was tom sawyer , in order to stay with Tom’s Aunt and Uncle.  Lying is a characteristic that automatically gives the reader of sense of mistrust and weariness about the character.  Although, this may be true, the reader can understand that  Huck only lied in order to help Jim, it was not to benefit himself. Lying is immoral when it is used in a selfish, malicious way, but Huck was not harming anyone else with his lies.

                Huck and Jim were on a raft floating down the Mississippi river for several days at a time, of course they would need supplies like food for the trip. The only way to get these necessities was stealing them, because they had no actually money to pay for them themselves. Stealing is frowned upon and punishable by law, but when it depends on life or death stealing a piece of fruit here or there doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Huck did what he had to do to survive and in order to complete his overall goal of freeing Jim. 

                Even though Huck exemplifies several immoral or evil characteristics in this story, the readers come to see that in the context they are understandable actions. As a reader one even begins to sympathize with Huck, and many wonder how he did not commit more wrong doings on such a journey. We commend he for his bravery and independence from society because it is something that many of us, even now, could not achieve.

~Dana Page