Morality and "Huckleberry Finn"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, by showing how the more socially acceptable minor characters in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are often less moral than Huck, son of a drunken father and Jim, a slave, Twain shows how conventional societal morals are completely awry from what is considered to be truthful and intrinsically good. The author points out that, for all of their faults and lack of conventional education, Jim and Huck at least strive to be loving and loyal to one another; thus, by contrasting them with people like the Widow Douglas and Buck Grangerford, Twain creates two great heroes of unexpectedly ethical behavior for 19th century American literature. The paper concludes that Huck's love of freedom, in contrast to the Widow and Miss Watson, instructs society and stands in direct contrast to his father's love of gentility, the semblance of morality of the warring Grangerfords and, most importantly, against the freedom-denying racism of American society.

From the Paper:

"The minor characters of the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are more often than not are motivated by greed, a lack of civility, a lack of true morals and values and a lack of respect for fundamental human dignity-as well as common, ordinary racism. Instead, Huck and Jim are propelled forward by a drive and desire for freedom, loyalty, and mutual respect. The first and most benign example of a minor character with a lack of true moral understanding is the well intentioned but misguided Widow Douglas. Although she is well meaning in her attempts to civilize Huck, the Widow Douglas does not understand the true needs of a young boy."

More papers on Morality and "Huckleberry Finn":

• Analytical Essay # 47574 : "The Morality of Huckleberry Finn"
• Analytical Essay # 126005 : "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn"
• Book Review # 71160 : "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: