The Concept and Value of Freedom

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn so innocently reveals the possible nobility of human nature in its properly-loved primary characters that it could never ever effectively support something so malicious as slavery. Huckleberry Finn and traveling companion Jim, a runaway slave, are unknowing champions for humility, mercy, and selflessness. The adventurous nature of the story and its noble characters celebrates freedom from social and economic restraint, and it is apparent from the beginning by means of his satiric portrayal of human traits that Twain believes that all men and women deserve their own freedom.

Whilst Twain’s story does have the outward appearance of a boyhood adventure tale, it is impossible to overlook the symbolic nature in the two “runaways'” desires for such an adventure. Each Huck and Jim are operating away from the social constraints of their worlds. Huck feels confined by his new “civilised” life, and Jim by his slave status. In the Widow Douglas’ household, Huck is not permitted to indulge himself in his former delights of boyhood. He feels trapped by the different social rules and expectations the two widows try to enforce upon him. Jim is confined by the bonds of slavery into an uncomfortable and immobile spot in society- a single that restricts him from becoming with his personal household. Hence the two “prisoners” begin their escape for freedom. And, whilst it is organic that Twain placed the story on the wide and powerful Mississippi River where he spent part of his life, there is also a symbolic gesture in the setting. While Huck and Jim travel down the flowing river, they really feel a distance from stagnant society on the river’s banks. On the organic river, they are free from the shortcomings and evils of human nature that exist in the man-made towns they have recognized. On the raft, there is no practical want for racism or greed. The boy and slave are simply two travelers bound for larger and better waters.

Twain is largely profitable in illustrating his support of the deserved freedom of the human condition via his principal characters. Huck is an innocent young boy who relies only on his surprisingly sharp criticism of human nature and a goodness and gentle-heartedness that he is not even aware of. Huck’s youthful ignorance and lack of education permit for the innocence that tends to make him such a believable and successful protagonist. In spite of his age, however, he is still in a position to discern the usually hypocritical actions of the adults about him. For example, he can't recognize why the fine people of the Grangerford family would be involved in one thing so horrible and ridiculous as a feud. When Jim turn out to be a element of the journey, Huck, a lot to the argument of his misguided conscience, shows mercy and, sooner or later, respect towards Jim. Bestowing respect upon a slave would have taken a lot of humility for a white boy, and Huck undoubtedly possessed humility. He had no want for material possessions, or even a really robust wish for money. Jim’s good nature and kindness is indisputable in the novel. He commits himself to watching over Huck throughout their journey, and typically does so at his personal expense. The reader can not assist but to admire Jim’s really like for his family and type, selfless nature. All of these traits innocence, mercy, humility, kindness are not components that assistance the institution of slavery2E Probably Twain is suggesting that the possible goodness of human nature that exists in his characters could exist in a globe with out slavery.

Furthermore, Twain has mastered the use of situational and verbal irony and satire, and uses this to reveal truths about human nature. Twain areas some situations of dialogue that are so blatantly racist that one can't aid but wonder if the author went to extremes to merely make his point. For example, Aunt Sally asks Huck if any person was hurt on the steamboat and he replies that it only “killed a nigger,” to which Aunt Sally replies, “Well, it is fortunate because often men and women do get hurt.” This one particular statement is so certainly wrong that it appears Twain is not advocating prejudice, but simply displaying it is wrongfulness. This use of irony is implemented all through the dialogue in the novel, and, while anti-slavery supporters could misinterpret Twain’s ambition, the other elements in the novel assist support the author’s accurate intentions. It is apparent that he believes that, if put into basic words, 1 could very easily see that such racist views are extremely hypocritical of the great qualities of human nature that Twain so hugely values. Moreover, the most racist individuals and advocators of slavery in the novel are constantly depicted in a unfavorable light. For instance, Twain offers tiny respect to the King and the Duke who split up the slave loved ones at the Wilks household, or the mob of angry farmers at the Phelps who want to kill Jim. Twain’s open critique of slavery and its supporters and racial prejudice, as a result, do certainly mark him as an advocate for human freedom.

In conclusion, Twain uses the qualities of his major characters and the freedom they seek, as effectively as criticism of the racial views of the society that Huck and Jim occupy, to illustrate his belief that all humans possess the right to be free of charge, if they so want it. Although it is doubtful that Twain would give himself the title of “abolitionist,” he undoubtedly states in Huckleberry Finn that he does not think that imposing an institution such as slavery on any particular person can't be deemed any other than a blatant violation against morality. Slavery is certainly an immense evil of society, and Twain uses the contrasting goodness of people like Huck and Jim to battle against it. It is also apparent that Twain does not admire the constraints of society, and, like Huck, would rather be free of charge from it and its hypocrisy. Consequently it is doubtful that he could support an institution like slavery that had such aristocratic roots. Twain’s characters are also noble, his views of white society as well crucial, for him to be blamed as a supporter of slavery he is alternatively a motivator of the human desire to be free.