"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and Southern Lifestyle

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" is a novel composed of many everyday ideas strung together in a sequential order to create an adventurous story for readers of all ages. Through the usage of satire, symbolism, and the use of first person narration, the novel is made stronger than if the author would have just objectively told the story the way it happened. In particular, the paper looks at how the Southern lifestyle is also a theme that is prevalent throughout the novel and how many simple lines display a common vernacular that is relative to the southern area of the United States. The paper also discusses how, throughout the novel, the South is being made fun of through the use of satire.

From the Paper:

"Another example of satire is when Huck is at the Grangerfords' house. Not only is this passage an example of satire, but an example of the under or non-educated people of the south. " 'Can you spell, Buck?' 'Yes,' he says. 'G-o-r-g-e J-a-x-o-n--there now,' he says." This passage pokes fun at the people who were not able to spell simple common names of the time period, when Huck asked Buck to spell his assumed name. This coincides with the reality of the southern lifestyle because most southern children--especially boys--were needed at home, on the farm, instead of attending school. From this, the reader can draw that the education of the south (as far as academics) was not as advanced as it should have been. Therefore, the Grangerfords-- as well as many other southerners-- appeared stupid and dull among people such as Huck Finn, who is more clever and better educated. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Farrel, James T. "Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer." Modern Critical Interpretations: Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. 30-2.
• Hoffman, Michael J. "Huck's Ironic Circle." Modern Critical Interpretations: Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. 31-44.
• Marx, Leo. "Mr. Eliot, Mr. Trilling and Huckleberry Finn." Modern Critical Interpretations: Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. 7-20.
• Marx, Leo. "Ending of Huckleberry Finn." Modern Critical Interpretations: Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. 35-8.
• Miller, Hills J. "First-Person Narration in David Copperfield and Huckleberry Finn." Modern Critical Interpretations: Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. 26-9.

More papers on "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and Southern Lifestyle:

• Analytical Essay # 57709 : "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
• Book Review # 104246 : "Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
• Book Review # 146540 : "Scoundrels in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"

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